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Frequent poster 820 posts David Calhoun Frequent poster 820 posts
David Calhoun

An interesting article in my latest issue of the Nickel Plate Road Magazine on Interlocking Rules showed a sidebar piece that included a diagram. Part of that diagram showed a bridge/gauntlet arrangement with an interlocking tower on the approach.

This brought up several questions in my mind. Does anyone make a gauntlet track? (I run Code 83) Can one be made using a combination of flex/straight/switch frogs without having to have an engineering degree? Does anyone have one on their layout and experience in this type of trackwork?

I thought that a dual track "bridge" (a lift out section in front of a door) might be a candidate for a conversion and provide an interesting feature. Your thoughts/comments?

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Chief Operating Officer

The Greater Nickel Plate
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,961 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Do-able, if you're keen...

Dear David,

Gauntlet track, esp that on bridges where the ties are spaced very closely together is quite do-able with regular flextrack and a pair of donor INSULfrog (plastic frog) turnouts.

If you strip one rail from each length of flextrack, (leave the other rail in place),
interleave the tiestrips, and reinstall the previously-removed rails,
you have instant gauntlet-track...

To get the interleaving "tighter" you may wish to trim the ends of the ties beyond the tieplates/spike-detail before interleaving them.

As to whether gaunlet track ends up being "interesting and fun" or "an operational headache that regularly causes damage to equipment under the control of layout-unfamilar operators" is another issue entirely...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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CarterM999 Regular poster 419 posts
CarterM999

http://model-railroad-hobbyis

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/bridge-12198132

The article is in Model Railroad mag.Oct 2014.

 

Also you tube has some videos on Gauntlets

 

Carter

 "HO" TRAINS ARE MY LIFE...AND "N" AND "AMERICAN FLYER" AND "LIONEL" AND EBAY.

WITHOUT CLOSETS, MODEL MANUFACTURERS WOULD NEVER BE PROFITABLE.

CARTERM999
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electroliner New member 1 post
electroliner

Gauntlet

I was looking for the same thing only in code 100. I found it at handlaidtrack.com, Fast-Track. I ordered the jig and it is suppose to be here Thursday so I get to play with making my own this weekend. They also had it in code 83 along with lots of other toys for us.

Bill
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David Calhoun Frequent poster 820 posts
David Calhoun

Do-Able

Thanks for the information. may try that as a "project" down the road. If it works out, will install it. I've got parts - patience and practice is another story. . . .LOL!

Chief Operating Officer

The Greater Nickel Plate
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David Calhoun Frequent poster 820 posts
David Calhoun

FastTracks

Let me know how you make out - interested in following your progress. Post pictures. Thanks for the link.

Chief Operating Officer

The Greater Nickel Plate
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mesimpson Super User 1,105 posts
mesimpson

CN gauntlet trackage in Manitoba

CN has a gauntlet tracked bridge crossing the Assiniboine River just east of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on their mainline.  It is a bit of a hike but it is quite interesting to see trains weave back and forth through the bridge.  I always thought it would be an interesting feature to model.  Good luck!

Marc Simpson

Marc Simpson

https://hudbayrailway.blogspot.com/

https://ageologistchasingtrains.blogspot.com/

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