Broad/Narrow Dual Gauge Tracks

[gilp1]

I've been trying to located a dual broad (5'3")/narrow (4'8") gauge track for a project I'm working but yet to find any solutions on the DLS. Dual gauge tracks from S301 was an excellent start but only catered for Broad/Standard gauge tracks, and I was hoping to get some advice for some compatible Narrow gauge, same style as S301 Standard invisible track that will make up the combination for 3 separate gauge tracks in the same yard. The project is for the Peterborough (Sth Aust) station and yards circa 1960 when gauge(s) changeover was happening, ambitious I known, but it keeps me out of trouble.

Gil

 

[Enkidoh]

As far as I know, there isn't any actual broad/narrow gauge dual gauge track available, however, an alternative might be to use standard/narrow gauge dual gauge track and then lay the Broad Gauge invisible rail beside it as you suggested.

Because Trainz doesn't recognize different gauges (as far the software is concerned, all trains run on the same 'gauge' track regardless of what gauge they actually look like), you could even experiment by laying another rail inside standard gauge track to make a dummy 'narrow gauge' dual gauge rail, as the only dual gauge track available has four rails, not three (it's what's technically called 'gauntlet track'.)

Anyway, good luck with your SAR Peterborough route.

 

[R701Rusty]

G'day Gil,
It might be worth your while taking a look at the great layout done by P Gibbons (at least I think he is responsible????? ) of the Peterborough area for TRS2006. He has got lines running from Peterborough to Quorn, Terowie, Paratoo and Gladstone and I find it very suitable for running steam locos as well as diesel as I think he was aiming at the changeover era. I don't want to discourage you from doing your own version but if you don't really need to re-invent the wheel???

Cheers
Russell.

 

[pware]

It might be worth your while taking a look at the great layout done by P Gibbons (at least I think he is responsible????? ) of the Peterborough area for TRS2006.

The Peterborough Division layout is set in the mid to late 1960s just before the arrival of standard gauge (but construction of the right of way for the standard gauge line is shown in the layout) with Peterborough and Gladstone having dual narrow-broad gauge tracks only.

I did attempt to use dual (narrow-broad) gauge track assets available on the DLS for Trainz 2006 but found that they had too many issues (including crashing my computer). One issue was that the track mechanism that would be needed to switch the dual gauge shared rail from one side of the track to the other was simply not available.

I also attempted to recreate the 1960s Peterborough Roundhouse (now Steamtown) but there were no roundhouse assets available, both then and now, that would allow it to be recreated anywhere near accurately enough even when using just a single gauge track. So I ended up recreating the depot as it existed earlier in the 20th century prior to the dual gauge roundhouse being built.

Gladstone had similar problems with its dual gauge layout. Port Pirie, had I continued on to there, would have been even worse because it did have all 3 gauges in the early 1960s.

Peter Ware

 

[gilp1]

Many thanks to all for your prompt responses.
Peter, I'll download your layouts of the Peterborough Division and have a look to see how you've constructed them, I'm sure there will be some helpful hints for me to ponder over.
By the way I had incorrect gauge on first post
"I've been trying to located a dual broad (5'3")/narrow (4'8") gauge track for a project I'm working but yet to find any solutions on the DLS."
Should have read 3'6" as the Narrow gauge

Gil

 

[pware]

"I've been trying to located a dual broad (5'3")/narrow (4'8") gauge track for a project I'm working but yet to find any solutions on the DLS."
Should have read 3'6" as the Narrow gauge

Not a problem - the Victorians have always maintained that compared to their broad gauge, 4'8.5" was narrow gauge.

 

[Azervich]

Hi,

VR lines actually didn't have Dual Gauge till around the late 80's early 90's, also Zec's Dual Gauge tracks are meant to be used as a kit with the fixed track

https://www.auran.com/TRS2004/DLS_viewasset.php?AssetID=147867

I'm also building a set of Concrete Track mid 80s to mid 90s type which will be able to be setup the same way.

Cheers.

 

[R701Rusty]

G'day Peter,
Sorry for getting you confused with P Gibbons, I was using memory (not a good idea at my time of life??? ) and should have checked but was feeling a little lazy. I have enjoyed your route(s) many times and usually with steam as the driving force!

Cheers
Russell.

 

[pware]

G'day Peter,
Sorry for getting you confused with P Gibbons, I was using memory (not a good idea at my time of life??? ) and should have checked but was feeling a little lazy. I have enjoyed your route(s) many times and usually with steam as the driving force!

Being mistaken for P Gibbons is a compliment, not an insult!!

And thank you for the feedback.

Peter Ware

 

[narrowgauge]

Gilp1

Are you aware that behind the Rail museum at the Port there are examples of all the multi gauge switches, various combinations, dual gauge and triple. The area is open to the public, not part of the paid for museum.

Peter

 

[gilp1]

Hi Peter,

I'd been hunting down info on multi gauge lines and became aware that there were tracks there after visiting a website by Greg Mayman called "A Tale of Three Gauges".
http://gmayman.com/index.php?p=1_5_A-Tale-Of-Three-Gauges

This photo of the transition section between the Gauntlet and Common Rail arrangement caught my eye.
http://gmayman.com/web_images/xover.jpg

The last time I visited the museum was when it was located at Keswick and I worked for the SA Egg Board back in the 1980's.
So, I guess I'll have to get my act into gear and journey down to the Port to see things for myself.

Gil