Crossover Between Two Parallel Railway Tracks with an Intermediate Straight Length

Crossover Between Two Parallel Tracks with an Intermediate Straight Length

The crossover between two parallel tracks with an intermediate straight length can be designed by applying any one of two methods.

Coles design

Coles design is a simple layout. In this case, two parallel tracks at a distance D from each other are connected by a crossover with a small length of the straight portion of the track lying between the two theoretical noses of the crossing. The straight portion of the track (ST) can be calculated using the formula

where G is the gauge of the track and N is the number of the crossing. The overall length (OL) of the crossover from the tangent point of one track to the tangent point of the other track is found by adding the lengths of the curve leads of the two turnouts and the length of the straight portion in between the two TNC (Fig. 15.8).

Overall length = OL of one turnout + ST + OL of other turnout

Example 15.1 A 1 in 8.5 crossover exists between two BG parallel tracks with their centres 5 m apart. Find the length of the straight track and the overall length of the crossover. Use Coles method. Given D = 5 m, N = 8.5, G =1.676 m.

Example 15.2 A crossover is laid between two BG straight tracks placed at a distance of 5 m c/c. Calculate the (i) overall length, (ii) radius of the curved lead, (iii) lead distance. Heel divergence of 1 in 12 crossing = 133 mm.

IRS design

In IRS design, the distance from the TNC measured along the straight track is given by the formula

ST = ( D - G - G sec a ) cota

On simplification

ST = D cot a - G cot a/2

where ST is the distance from TNC to TNC along the straight track, D is the distance from centre to centre of two tracks, G is the gauge, and a is the angle of crossing.

Similarly, the distance from TNC to TNC along the crossover is given by the

formula (Fig. 15.8)

CF = (D - G - G seca ) coseca + G tana

where CF is the distance from TNC to TNC along the crossover, D is the distance from centre to centre of two tracks, G is the gauge, and a is the angle of crossing.

Example 15.3 A 1 in 12 crossover of IRS type is laid between two BG parallel tracks with their centres 5 m apart. Calculate ST and the distance from TNC to TNC along the crossover.