Three way switch examples

[Coxy]

I've seen plenty of three-way switches on model railroads but very few on the Prototype.

I happened across this three-way while using Google maps to look at tracks around Chevron's Yard near the Richmond Parkway in Richmond California. It's the only one I am aware of in the Bay Area.

http://goo.gl/maps/1yzLp

The three-way is actually on the downslope of a very short grade as this yard was once operated as a small hump yard.

If you have other google map references or photos of three-way switches, please post them here. Looking forward to seeing some other examples.

[C855B]

Here are two sets of double triples (two three-ways) from the eastbound and westbound humps at UP's Bailey Yard in North Platte:

  http://goo.gl/maps/YRaBc

  http://goo.gl/maps/HZzLK

BNSF hump at Barstow, another double:

  http://goo.gl/maps/BrNPO

A single triple, UP/ex-SP West Colton Yard. Hard to see the middle leg from all the retarder dust:

  http://goo.gl/maps/ww7ID

The challenge here is to locate three-ways that are not downhill from a hump (or, in your case, a former hump). Just like trying to find examples of double- or single-slip switches not in a passenger terminal throat.

[Coxy]

The challenge here is to locate three-ways that are not downhill from a hump (or, in your case, a former hump). Just like trying to find examples of double- or single-slip switches not in a passenger terminal throat.

Yes, exactly. Not sure I have ever seen one not part of a hump yard.

[C855B]

D'oh! I was standing on one just a month ago! Hard to see in the shadows, but it's there:

  http://goo.gl/maps/a8yxK

Granted, this is sort of a cheat... it's on the California State RR Museum property, leading into a car barn. Better yet, it's a 3-way stub switch. Construction did look like original SP, so it is possible this was existing before the shops were converted.

[wcfn100]

Another museum.

http://binged.it/15A6ZEl

Jason

[rswinnerton]

The yard at the Church & Dwight yard I serve has a 3 way switch. They added it when they added the third track. They unload covered hoppers towards the bottom of the picture.

[conrail98]

The yard at the Church & Dwight yard I serve has a 3 way switch. They added it when they added the third track. They unload covered hoppers towards the bottom of the picture.

Is that a crossover also right there going into a new switch (or old switch?) at the unloader? If so, this must make the Ed's Law HoF,

Phil

[C855B]

"Ed's Law" indeed. Two "odd" bits are combined here - a true scissors crossover (or used to be), with one leg a 3-way. Also really unusual is that the 3-way is symmetrical, rather than visibly lapped. I'd love to see a close-up of the points.

[Coxy]

Nice example. And good point on the points, I'd like to see a close up on that too. Here's the google map link to the York PA 3-way:
http://goo.gl/maps/YdBEf

It's a funky little yard. Check it out.

[rswinnerton]

Ill try to get a close up next time I'm there during daylight.
Russ

PS- Ed's Law definitely applies!

[nkalanaga]

Russ:  THAT is what I think of as a 3-way turnout.  The first one posted looked more like a "lapped" turnout to me, where two regular turnouts are overlapped to save space.

For those who want stubs, there is (or at least was) at least one 3-way stub turnout at Orbisonia on the East Broad Top.  Even better, when I was up there in the 80s, the passenger trains used it. 

[rswinnerton]

EBT 3 way stubbie:

[C855B]

I stumbled across this while looking for something else:

  http://goo.gl/maps/Rf0JD

A double-slip in the middle of a Marines supply depot, all by its lonesome.

[davefoxx]

Here's the A&R's three-way stub switch as it appeared in 1992:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2319198

DFF

[Philip H]

Sheesh Dave, talk about tight gauging.  When ya gonna built that sucker?