I am at a point in layout building where there will be no turning back.
My plan is basically a double track mainline with 2 yards woven in for point to point operation, plus many industrial spurs.
Will I have smooth enough operation with #6’s on the mainline (I am space limited, in the closet here people!) or do I need to jump to #8’s for peace of mind? If so, can I borrow some money?
Thanks, any help is great
Lee
I am an N-scaler in the process of building a layout and have used #6 and #8 turnouts on mainline and in yards (both straight and curved) made by Peco. The first thing that is important is the requirements dictated by your engines and rolling stock. Most N-Scale engines and rolling stock can tolerate tight curves and small frog numbers. The #6 and #8 Pecos haven’t been a problem except for the size of the curve required for the main and diverging routes. I had to change from straight to curved #8 turnouts in order to fit the resulting curves to fit the allocated space. I realized this during the mockup stage prior to buying the turnouts and saving me an expensive mistake. On my layout currently being built, I had mocked up every section before laying any track and turnouts to make sure that everything fit into the allocated space using scanned track pieces and turnouts taped onto poster board. The mockup can be adjusted as necessary until you got it the way you want it.
Use #6s where you have to use them but use #8s where and if you have room for them!
[#ditto]
I use #6 and #8 on mainline and have no problems.
These are Peco code 83 electrofrog in H0. I run upto 70 foot cars and the largest diesels i have are SD50, C44AC, AC6000 etc.
Ive also got a crossover using #6’s because of space limititations and i have no problems with this either. Only thing i done was put a short straight section in between the 2 switch’s to minimise the S curve efect in the middle of the crossover.
I cant speak for large coupled steam locomotives though as i dont have any.
I made the decision early on to use Mirco Engineering code 70 track and turnouts on my the visible part of my layout. Micro Engineering only makes #6 turnouts. In hidden staging I used Atlas remote turnouts and flex track.
None of the turnouts have cause a single problem with locomotives or rolling stock. I run a brass 8500 HP turbine constantly and several Con Cor 4500 HP turbines as well as PA-PB consists. The true test would have been my Big Boy, but it has had no problems either.
Asthetically the # 8’s would look great, but if you’re only concerned with operation, the # 6’s will be fine.
use atlas #7 and you’re done
I have Pecos on the mailine mostly 8 and a few curved ( I think they are 7) and most of the problems I have are related to the frog getting picked. I glue in shims on the guard rail accross from the frog and all my problems went away. Some of this may be contributed to the my trackwork but whatever the reason it works for me. I have atlas in the yard and they don’t run smooth but nothing derails.
So as mentioned above go with the 8 if possible but its the fine tuning that makes it all count.