Fast Tracks

Some non-scale specific ideas...

Most railroads today are very strict that sidings must have derails. NS around here has a strong preference for a dual-point derail, basically a pair of switch points which just end, dropping the car on the ground. I've thought about trying to model something like this using the fixture, and I think it's possible but perhaps a bit difficult using a regular turnout fixture.

Today I saw this thread on Trainboard: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/sho ... p?t=102022

The track work is remarkably similar, but different. It seems to me a fixture to make what is in the trainboard thread could be used to make a dual point derail as well, just with shorter rails. Thus it could be a dual purpose fixture.

I'm thinking a fixture with a lower section to form the points in proper alignment like a traditional turnout fixture, and an upper section similar to the straight jigs that would keep all four rails in alignment.

Would anyone else be interested in such a thing?

This type of track is very common along high speed passenger lines around the station areas. The purpose here is to allow the trains that are not stopping at the platform to go by with several inches to spare between the train and the platform so that the train will not hit the platform if a car rocks to that side while a stopping train can get up close to minimize the gap the passengers have to step across to board the train.