I'm not sure if this question properly belongs here or not; if it's in the wrong location then one of the moderators will move it to a more appropriate location.
Where a dual-gauge turntable is fitted on a conventional 3-rail system, how do traincrews turn the narrower-gauge loco? Would I be correct in thinking that the middle rail moves towards/away from the adjacent broader-gauge rail while the other broader-gauge rail separates to give 4 rails on the turntable lead?
Dual-Gauge operations
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All narrow gauge other than On30 etc
Contact: Nick Prior
All narrow gauge other than On30 etc
Contact: Nick Prior
Dual-Gauge operations
From Rigby Yard to the Hill - MEC and SP live on.
Re: Dual-Gauge operations
The track on the turntable would have to be 4 track, i.e., the narrow gauge in the centre of the broader track. It has to be like that to keep the turntable properly balanced.
The narrow gauge track would have to be diverted from one side of the broader track to the centre of the broader track on the approach road or even earlier.
To do this would require a single switch similar to a catch point.
The track in the roundhouse or storage road could be be 4 track, as on the turntable or roads could be dedicated to either narrow gauge or the broader gauge.
Lining the turntable up would be the same, as the centre of the narrow gauge track is the same as the broader gauge.
Dave...
The narrow gauge track would have to be diverted from one side of the broader track to the centre of the broader track on the approach road or even earlier.
To do this would require a single switch similar to a catch point.
The track in the roundhouse or storage road could be be 4 track, as on the turntable or roads could be dedicated to either narrow gauge or the broader gauge.
Lining the turntable up would be the same, as the centre of the narrow gauge track is the same as the broader gauge.
Dave...
Re: Dual-Gauge operations
All the Google evidence shows that there were four rails on the turntable.
See here for the way to go from three to four rails.
http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,121539
See here for the way to go from three to four rails.
http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,121539
Mike Ruby
Re: Dual-Gauge operations
Thank you gents. I think I'll abandon plans for a dual-gauge turntable and run the narrower-gauge units backwards instead...
From Rigby Yard to the Hill - MEC and SP live on.
Re: Dual-Gauge operations
As shown in the photo I linked to, you don't need a switch to get to four rails. It would be an interesting bit of track to build and you only need one on the lead to the turntable.
Mike Ruby