Double track and ROW centerline

[93cram]

Good day all,

How are double tracks 'usually' centered on mainline ROW ?
Are both tracks spread on both sides of the ROW centerline, or in case of a previously built single track line,
is the second track built nearer to one of the ROW boundary ?

Marc

[Ian MacMillan]

Depends on the railroad.

Generally once property is purchased the track is placed on the centerline of the property. Other obstructions may cause it to be placed elsewheres though.

[93cram]

Thanks Ian, if this post received only one reply, this is an interesting one 
For a previously single tracked RR, I'd go with an off-set double track centerline, leaving more width on one side of the initial track line (the one with more structures, etc...)
When working along a 12" wide only benchwork, there are a few things you have to think ahead  :

[noblerot]

My input is only from the old Erie mainline on PA-NY's southern tier. Where they converted to single track it is to one side or another of the ROW center. It is the same on the bridge spans. The exception is the Otisville NY tunnel in which the track was centered, although that was rather recent.( I think in the 80's)

[93cram]

Thanks Alan,
Though I envisionned the reverse move (going single to double track), I'd assume they would 'add' the second track on either side of the first one (basically linking all passing sidings together), not ripping all the stuff just to have both track centered on the ROW
I seem to remember a MR article and N scale layout project about a part of the former MILW mainline through Iowa (Bayard sub ?) where some picture showed a double track bridge with only one track left, and it wasn't centered 

Marc

[DKS]

My input is only from the old Erie mainline on PA-NY's southern tier. Where they converted to single track it is to one side or another of the ROW center. It is the same on the bridge spans. The exception is the Otisville NY tunnel in which the track was centered, although that was rather recent.( I think in the 80's)

When Conrail single-tracked the double-track Reading Line through central NJ, all of the track was shifted to the center, except when crossing open-deck bridges.

[93cram]

Well, looks that there is a prototype for everything  ;D

[inkaneer]

When the P&WV built bridges on their mainline they built them for double track.  The line was never double tracked however.   It may not be possible to center a track on a bridge designed for double track.  This is particularly true for any truss type bridges.  Ususally these have main girders running the length of the bridge directly below the rails.  Moving the track off of these girders compromises the bridge's integrity.

[davefoxx]

Here's an example of a single-track bridge that was once double-tracked: CSX's (former B&O) Susquehanna River bridge.  As you can see, the remaining track is still off-center, and, as pointed out by Inkaneer, it's not feasible to center due to the supporting structure beneath the rails.  You can make out the other tracks structure under the railing that has since been installed at right.



Dave Foxx

[Brakie]

For what its worth..

Here is the sad remains of PRR' double track FT.Wayne line (now CF&E).

As you can see CR removed the Westbound main while leaving the Eastbound main in place.

Looking West.

[93cram]

Gee, that house was pretty near from track when the Eastbound was still extant 
Had to be a rail fan, or not too much ear sensitive  ;D
Anyway, the ROW was well under 100' there, unless the house was some RR structure (section house ?)

thx Brakie, that's a nice picture 

[FloridaBoy]

For over 10 years I worked at Hallandale City Hall, facing the FECRR tracks and through its history and getting a chance to meet the President of FECRR, Red Wyckoff,  back then, I realized how complex the rail transportation industry is, even to track and spur placement.

Traditionally, I learned that the FECRR had a track through the middle of virtually every coastal town along the Florida east coast.  A single track was laid back in the twenties, then doubled, then spurs and sidings added as industries and the state economy and population grew.

What was uncanny that in Hallandale, the original track plan could be identified as it did center the r/o/w, but the additional trackage added years later was basically an engineered "catch as catch can" if the industry was to the east, a switch and siding were built there.  The second mainline, according to Wyckoff was laid to the west because the tracks were less busy to the west when the track was laid, thereby making it easier on adjoining businesses.  He showed me where the old passenger station was, and even dug down a couple of inches to see buried creosote tie. 

I was just getting into model railroading and the information was too much and too fast for me to digest, but it was an incredible experience.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman 

[93cram]

Thx Ken,

This is probably a good example of 'design through necessity' 
I've had access to an old Sanborn fire insurance map for M&StL yard in Peoria.
The Q mainline paralleled the M&StL tracks along the yard.
The Q track was beautifully laid in a sweeping curve in the middle of a 60' ROW (former narrow gauge line ?) untill it neared a highway crossing.
Then the track had to pass by a small house or business located on the South side before crossing the highway.
Guess what ?
The ROW narrowed then to may be 20' or even less !
I'd suppose the building owner might have asked too much to displace his property, or whatever  ;D