Gantlet track??

[Anubis]

Hi Guys,

Hope you all had a great Christmas, and turned a few steel wheels....

I wonder if any one of you can give me some thoughts on how to scratch build a
gantlet track?

I have an idea coming up for my next (and hopefully first DCC) layout that
involves a pair of interlaced tracks sharing a length of viaduct.

The actual construction doesn't appear to be very intimidating, until I get to
the part with the crossover-track-frog-or-switch or whatever it's called.

Anyone have any ideas??


(Apart from "Forget it" - which I have already considered.) 

[mabloodhound]

There's really no frog in the gauntlet design.   It's simply a matter of cutting your gaps to correspond to the rail alignment.   You tube videos show the configuration very well.   Remember the spelling is "gauntlet" when searching.

[Jim Banner]

Those gaps in the track, along with their wing rails and associated guard rails, are the very same frogs used in turnouts and crossings.  There is a very good shot of one at the 1:15 mark in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOTnmci9dJA

As mabloodhound suggests, better spell it "gauntlet" if you go to youtube.  I find this quite interesting that most people spell it 'gauntlet,'  from the French meaning 'glove' and not 'gantlet' from the Swedish meaning 'narrow lane.'  I cannot see too many people running a train through a glove and I don't ever want to get in the way of a fellow who can throw down a lane.

There is also a good video on Fast Tracks frogs at this link:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2853660703765713140#

Jim

[mabloodhound]

Excellent video Jim on those real life interlaced tracks.   It helped me to visualize the frogs.
Thanks

[Anubis]

Many thanks to all,

Now I know what I need to do.

All I need is a couple of donor turnouts, with the switch rails removed, and run the second set of rails parallel to the original set.

No wiring problems, as each circuit is isolated, and no moving parts.

Now, where is my junk box?

(GANTLET / GAUNTLET)