Peco 3-way points -- how realistic?

[GreenDiesel]

Due to lack of space, I'm limited to building small (00) layouts. I'm currently working on a new "tail-chaser" layout that is only 2.7' wide by 5.5' long. As a result, it uses very tight curves and points. I'm now considering using two 3-way Peco points. The main reason is that these points are space-savers (compared to using two regular turnouts) and therefore give me more room on the layout to park trains.

 

How prototypical or how common in real-life are the 3-way points?  While this layout is already quite crowded, I'm still doing my best to keep it as realistic as I can!

 

Thanks,

Rob

Edited October 20, 2014 by GreenDiesel

[cromptonnut]

Generally in yards and approaches to termini I would guess, not likely on a main line at high speed.

[YK 50A]

Hi,

I asked a similar question a little over a year ago.  Here you go: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/75360-peco-symmetric-3-way-turnouts-examples-on-the-big-railway/.

 

Hope that helps,

Alun

[Bernard Lamb]

 

 

How prototypical or how common in real-life are the 3-way points?  While this layout is already quite crowded, I'm still doing my best to keep it as realistic as I can!

 

 

My local station was so small that it only ever had one or two coach trains yet it had a three way point as an entry to the goods yard.

The type depicted by Peco is probably not the most common variant.

However if you can accept Peco points then the three way version cannot, as I see it, be regarded as any less realistic than the others.

Bernard

[Fat Controller]

Peco do two types, don't they? The one in the 'Universal' range has the diverging routes starting from the same point, whilst the one in the 'Finescale' range has them offset; the latter is more like most of the prototype ones I've seen.

[YK 50A]

Peco do two types, don't they? The one in the 'Universal' range has the diverging routes starting from the same point, whilst the one in the 'Finescale' range has them offset; the latter is more like most of the prototype ones I've seen.

 

They do indeed and it's all covered in the link I posted to above.

 

Alun

[Richard Lee]

I am 90% sure that the Hayling Island station had two 3-way asymmetrical sets of points (like the Peco Code 75 ones).  You can see for yourself:

 

http://www.haylingbilly50.co.uk/node/489

 

I don't believe that the station layout changed too much (except for the loco shed becoming a bay platform) until it closed.

 

Can't think of any examples like the Code 100 s-way points I am afraid.

[YK 50A]

There's photos of both types in the thread I posted a link to above.  Is there an echo in here? 

 

Alun

Edited October 20, 2014 by alunhughes

[GreenDiesel]

Hi,

I asked a similar question a little over a year ago.  Here you go: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/75360-peco-symmetric-3-way-turnouts-examples-on-the-big-railway/.

 

Hope that helps,

Alun

 

Thanks, Alun. Yes, that's a helpful thread -- some interesting pics and examples there.

[peak experience]

Killin had a three way point in it's goods yard

[Gwiwer]

Brighton Kemp Town, Ventnor and Sheerness-on-Sea had (and I believe the latter still has) three-way points closely similar to the Peco symmetrical version and all on running lines as opposed to yards.  Kemp Town and Ventnor required these points at the tunnel mouths entering those stations owing to the restricted site and to allow access to the fan of tracks in the station and yard areas.  That should give you a good prototype for working in a confined space and with a tunnel (to a fiddle yard?) into the bargain.  That at Sheerness was a double-sided loco release from the two platforms which fed to the middle road.  The straight route led a few yards to buffer stops.

[Sturminster_Newton]

Would the station pilot or a parcels van be the most likely candidate for standing on the head shunt until required, as would be possible with a 3-way point?

 

Another alternative three short Y points.

 

Although it forms an interesting shape to the platform at the buffer stop end.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe_railway_station_(Romney,_Hythe_and_Dymchurch_Railway)#/media/File:Hythe_station.jpg

 

There is a reverse curve which may cause many here to suck on their teeth.

 

But this layout appears to have handled all the RH&DR locomotion without too much trouble over nearly 100 years.

 

Most would feel provision of RH and LH points would work equally well in place of the trailing Y's and keep the lines parallel to the platform edge.

 

One does wonder what Greenley/Howey were thinking, one of those little eccentricities for which the English are famous; Or was there a surfeit of 15" gauge Y points when the line was constructed?

[Ray Von]

I hit a similar snag in 'N' Gauge. Due to lack of space, I utilised a Peco Double Slip in place of two sets of points - I have to say I'm very pleased with the results, I've never used one on a layout before and from the point of view of space saving it's a real bonus.

And it adds a nice extra dynamic to the layout, despite perhaps not being the most prototypical feature.

Getting the hang of operating it was also a bit of a puzzle at the start too, one or two derailments! 

 

Edited September 3, 2020 by Ray Von