I was reviewing the add for the Tortoise/Hare combination. Tony’s Trains was offering a combo package of $34.95 for both products. Is it just me or does this seem pretty excessive for just switching a turnout?
That’ swhy I went with all handthrown Peco switches for my layout; $20 and I’ve got the whole thing, not just one piece.
I’ll be happy with the new Caboose industrys ground throws with the target faces for five bucks a pop, thanks but no thanks tortise.
Yeah, the Hare’s pretty neat, but I don’t think they’re gonna sell too many. It’s just too expensive. You want to switch turnouts via DCC, use an NCE Switch-It, < $20 and it runs TWO Tortoises.
–Randy
Ugh. And here I was examining a Kato turnout for near that much.
I’m going with tortoise in my main-line and more distant turnouts, and manual throws for the switching yard for that very reason.
Remember, you have to build the control panel if you go with electrical switching!
Mark in Utah
you don’t need the Hare anyway…soldering the wires directly to the terminal posts on the tortoise machine works just as well…that brings it down to about $12 to $17 a turnout for just the tortoise machine alone depending on who you buy it from…chuck
HOW can you put a price tag on ‘Accomplishment’ and having fun while doing it?
Wait 'till you try to power route a series of Shinohara double slip switches with motor drives.
I use Tortoise switch machines exclusively. They’re only about $15 apiece here…but by the time you add the switch and LEDs–I like the ability to see what direction the points are set at a glance–it comes out to $20.