Uses for the 2" straights in HO and On30

[Terry Toenges]

I had posted this on the old board. I hope I have this right from cutting and pasting -
Passing sidings
One problem with making a passing siding on the straights with EZT (EZ Track) is that (with one exception - #5 below) you need a 2" straight.
That is, unless you want to cut the EZ Track.
As of today, 2" straights aren't sold separately.
They are sold with Bachmann's 90* crossing. It comes with four 2" straights.
Below are 6 examples of how you can make a passing siding using 18" radius curves.
This won't work with 15" or 22" radius curves without some kind of "S" curve somewhere.    
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   1. Above - No straights between curve and turnout. ***NOT A GOOD IDEA *** Diverging leg = left - 18"r - 18"r - right Straight leg = left - 3" - 4 1/2" - 9" - "2 1/4" - 2" - 9 - right Dimensions = 38 3/4" long 6 3/4" wide    

   2. Above - 2" straights between curve and turnout. Diverging leg = left - 2" -18"r - 18"r - 2" - right Straight leg = left - 9" - 2 1/4" - 2" - 2" - 9" - right Dimensions = 42 1/4" long 7 3/4" wide    
   
   3. Above - 2 1/4" straights between curve and turnout. Diverging leg = left - 2 1/4" -18"r - 18"r - 2 1/4" - right Straight leg = left - 2" - 9" - 4 1/2" - 9" - right Dimensions = 42 1/2" long 7 3/4" wide    
   
   4. Above - 3" straights between curve and turnout. Diverging leg = left - 3" - 18"r - 18"r - 3" - right Straight leg = left - 9" - 3" - 3" - 2" - 9" - right Dimensions = 44" long 8 1/4" wide    
   
   5. Above - 4 1/2" straights between curve and turnout. *** The only combination that will work without a 2" straight. *** Diverging leg = left - 4 1/2" - 18"r - 18"r - 4 1/2" - right Straight leg = left - 9" - 3" - 3" - 2 1/4" - 2 1/4" - 9" - right Dimensions = 48 1/2" long 9" wide    
   
   6. Above - 9" straights between curve and turnout. Diverging leg = left - 9" - 18"r - 18"r - 9" - right Straight leg = left - 9" - 9" - 2" - 4 1/2" - 2 1/4" - 9" - right Dimensions = 54 1/2" long 11 1/4" wide    
   
   7. Above - Opposing turnouts Diverging leg = left - 2 1/4" - left - right - 2 1/4" - right Straight leg = left - 4 1/2" - 3" - 2" - 9" - 9" - right Dimensions = 45 1/2" long 7 3/4" wide    
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   EZ Track yard
Here is an EZ Track yard made without cutting pieces and using the 2" straights, standard turnouts, and 18" curves.
The below pics use the diverging legs for the straight sections and the straight leg
for the curved sections.
Add straights equally between the two curves and the straights to make it longer.    
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   1. Above - Can be passing siding or two track yard.
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 2" - 2 1/4" - left
Straight leg = right - 18"r - 18"r - left
Dimensions = 34 1/2" long   10 1/2" wide (to lowest corner of turnout)    

   2. Above - Four track yard.
Top set of turnouts -
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 2" - 2 1/4" - left
Straight leg = right - 18"r - 18"r - left
Second set of turnouts -
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 9" - 2" - 9" - left
Third set of turnouts -
Diverging leg  = right - 9" - 9" - 4 1/2" - 2" - 2 1/4" - 9" - 9" - left
Dimensions = 65 1/4" long   17 1/4" wide (to lowest corner of turnout)    

[Yampa Bob]

Terry
I know you devoted a lot of time and effort to produce the sample layouts and pictures. The 4 track in and out yard is very interesting.  Excellent job and thank you.