As I continue to rebuild my layout to accommodate my GE 85 tonners and give them a place to take their ore to, I had to update my duck under. Now I have seen several different ways to build a duck under, whether a swing or lift system, and I would say what type you build is dependent on the space you have.

I thought about a swing out and drop down hinge system but the geometry of what I needed to integrate new into old would only allow a lift out type. I also decided to move a crossover to the duck under and make a double crossover. This meant the duck under would be wide, about 10 inches.

Using a method I had used successfully for my last duck under I came up with what follows.

The duck under is about 3ft long and the angles at the end converge. I use this convergence to my advantage as it becomes a natural stop as you put it into place. The basic frame is made with 1x4 and each end is mitered to give a good fit.

The above photo shows a view from the bottom up. The sides are parallel, but at the end, a piece is mitered in to run parallel to the layout. In my case each end is different. The main end is inset by 3/4 inch to allow the locking board to be put in. The locking board is a piece of plywood with a 45 degree bevel. It is also a bit narrower than the width of the duck under or lift out section.

The layout edge has a corresponding locking board to allow the lift out to be placed onto it. It was put into position by adjusting the location of the lift out holding it all in place with clamps and then sliding this piece into place and screwing it in. I did not photograph that part so you will have to try and visualize it.

You insert it by setting it down, which here you can see the small gap, and then you push it in tight. I used wood clamps to lock it in when I was setting up all the track and will continue to do so when I run trains across it.

On the end shown above, I was dealing with a curve, so I chose to solder track to brass screws to keep everything square.

On the other end the tracks are straight, so I used little sections of tracks that I can put on and take off. That is how I did my previous lift out section as at both ends the tracks were straight for it. I added all kinds of feeders to the tracks to keep my sound locomotives from stalling, and after a bit of testing and adjustments, everything ran smoothly.

So here is a view of the lift out. I picked up a two wire trailer power cord for a few bucks to use to bring power onto the section. Although the setup of the section works very well right now, it will be a while before I find out what the long term issues might be. Normally the section (well the previous one) stays in for a couple of months at a time and the only issue I have had in the past was when some one, usually me, ducked under, but stands up too soon and hits it. 

Until Next Time

Tim Schwartz

(keeping warm again with the -40 wind chill outside)