The railroad that I am going to model (V&T) next used stub switches and very light rail throughout its long and storied lifespan. I am considering code 70 stub switches for this layout. I have hand laid track before but mostly for dioramas. Nothing where reliability and sturdiness was a question. This layout will be intended for operations. If I go the code 70 stub switch route, am I going to have maintenance and electrical problems? I am going to use DCC. I used Peco and Atlas turnouts for my last layout and there were some problems with them, so I have reason to be concerned. I may decide to use code 70 Shinohara, any problems with those? Thoughts? Thanks - Nevin
A stub turnout is probably easier to lay than a point turnout (although I have not built my first stub turnout yet). The most difficult part is the vertical and horizontal alignment of the stubs. There are various methods others have used for doing this - most involved some form of tab soldered to the rail base (vertical alignment) and wire soldered to the web (horizontal alignment).
Code 70 is not particularly fragile stuff. I’ve used it in point turnouts extensively without any issues. There is a reasonable amount of room for RP25 flanges even with oversize tabs, spikes, and the like. When one gets down to code 55 or 40 rail, things do get a little tighter. The rail kinks much easier, and there is a lot less room for flange clearance with anything attached to the rail web.
FWIW, code 55 is a more accurate rail size in HO for stub turnouts than code 70. The prototype had a hard time “bending the iron” to throw a stub turnout made with rail that was heavier than 80lbs.
just my thoughts, your choices
Fred W