Hi there
Does micro engineering switches have some sort of locking, or snap action like peco switches, in other words can they be used like pecos without ground throws or switch machines?
And is there any other code 55 switches other than pecos that have powered frogs. Are MEs frogs powered? I have only seen pics of MEs switches and they look like they have that ugly brown unpowered plastic frog like Atlases.
Thanks for your help guys
Tom
Micro engineering switches in HO scale have locking points like Peco. The frog is a metal casting and looks a runs better than the Atlas. Non DCC ME switches have power routing including the frog, DCC friendly ME switches have a dead frog but have hard wired points and closure rails.
Forgot to mention these are for N scale if that makes a diffence.
Tom
Tom,
My experience and my earlier post are limited to HO scale, I think in this instance scale may make difference…Maybe one of the N scale guys will jump in here. This forum sees steady but pretty light traffic. May take a couple of days or you might post in the general discussion forum as well…
OK, I’m right past where you are now so I can help you a little.
The N scale switches are metal frog and it looks to me like they can be powered. Thats what I plan on doing. They also have a spring mechanism on the points like a Peco.
From what I can see on mine (I bought a couple for “testing” purposes) it looks to me like the weak point is the closure rails and their electrical connections. I plan on soldering in jumper wires under the turnout to eliminate the issue.
Now for DC thats all there is to it. DCC is another issue entirely!
For DCC the N scale turnout is like the old ME HO turnouts. They are not usable right out of the package. You need to make a new throwbar out of PC board.
This site will explain it far better then I can. Just follow the directions for the “old style” and you’ll be fine.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_ME_BK.htm
By the way, the rest of this site is awesome too!
Hope this helps, and pass any discovery’s along to those of us sharing the same boat you’re in (like me).
Wappaw,
pcarell made a good point IMHO about ME code 55 Nscale turnouts, particularly regarding their weak point rail electric connection (through an enlarged metal joiner)
definately not something you can trust to let current flowing, even if taking care to paint these parts with a brush
Though I find ME turnouts to be the best in appearance on the market today, I switched to Atlas code 55 line because of ME DCC unfriendly design
BTW, I wonder if ME shouldn’t make their code 55 turnouts with one piece point/closure rails, therefore elimating the electrical issue.
I guess their snap action design would suffice to keep one piece point rails locked positively
my 2 cents[:)]
marc
From what I can gather the problem with DCC and these turnouts is twofold.
The first is the spring itself. It is metal and touches both points at all times. This makes powering the whole thing more difficult.
The second is the strip of metal that holds the spring together that runs on top of the throwbar. It also touches both rails.
Eliminate the throwbar (along with the piece of metal on top of it) and spring and the whole thing works, provided you create a new throwbar of course.
I too love the Atlas code 55 stuff, but if you run older loco’s it can be a problem. The ME stuff isn’t as bad about the flanges hitting the ties.
Myself, in order to differentiate between the main and the branch lines I went with the ME code 70 on the main (where I run the aforementioned older loco’s) and Atlas code 55 on the branch where I only run newer (read that: smaller flanges) equipment. This allows me to run anything I want, keep the price down to the merely rediculous, and provides a visual difference between the main and branch. The Branch is the main focus of my layout and so thats why my expirience with the ME stuff is limited. I only have 5 ME switches and about 10 feet of their flex track on the layout (just enough to model the interchange).
I would like to see ME do N scale DCC friendly turnouts (both code 55 & 70) though as it looks like the Autumn’s Ridge Railway & Navigation Co. will be moving soon (along with the rest of my house). I’m not sure yet if this is a good thing. Uncle Sam wants my property. I just hope he gives me enough that I can buy another house that is at least comparable to this one. We’ll see I guess.
Well I guess by what I read here that I am going to stick with Peco’s. Never used an Atlas and I know Peco’s work but I want to keep it as simple as possible. The MEs just sound like too much trouble tho they may be the best looking. Only hitch here is whether a Tortoise switch machine will throw a Peco without taking the spring out. I read somewhere that it will so here’s hoping!
Thanks guys!
Tom
I’m not sure about the Peco’s and DCC. They may need modification to work. Or maybe your not using DCC and that isn’t an issue. Check that link I gave you earlier and cruise that site if this is a concern. The answer is there.
As to the Atlas issues, these are fine products right out of the box for DC or DCC. They look good, are reasonably priced, and the frogs are powerable. The only thing with them is that the tolerences are a little tight and so you must make sure that your wheels are in guage and you stick to RP25 specs with the flanges (low profile). As long as you do that, they are absolutely bulletproof!
As to the Tortoise issue, I believe you are correct, it will throw a Peco, just keep the throw rod linkage kind of short and you shouldn’t have any problems.
Gotta run for now, time for more house hunting. Gotta buy a new basement!
BTW I am building for DCC. I don’t see a problem for Pecos. I will insulate the 2 inside rails on the Pecos and it should be ok. That is what I do now for my little DC layout and its a rare thing for a loco to stall on a switch.
I really should test Atlas turnout I suppose but they don’t have the snap spring (or do they?) so I would have to use switch machines or a ground thro (which I have never tried). They are certainly the best priced. I am only going to use a few switch machines so that nice spring snap action is one of the reasons I like the Pecos
Happy house hunting! Better you than me hehe.
wappaw,
The Atlas switches don’t have springs. That may be a bid deterrent for you. I have used both switch machines and ground throws. The groung throws are OK, especially the ones that change the polarity for you, but with DCC one of the big benefits is to be able to throw switches from your handheld. That is only accomplished with a switch machine and a stationary decoder.
That may not be something you want to dig into right now, but it would be nice to have that option open for the future, unless of course you just really dig the hands on approach.
Just food for thought.