Well, I’m just about ready to think about ordering track. I have decided to use atlas code 100 flex with Peco turnouts. My first question is should I use atlas rail joiners or Peco? The big question is Peco or Tortoise? I had a brief conversation with Tony @ Tony’s train and he said not to remove the spring in the Peco’s when using the Tortoise but rather change the spring wire in the Tortoise to a larger size. Wouldn’t that defeat the slow motion action of the Tortoise? Also, would the snap action of the Peco spring put extra wear on the Tortoise by putting force on it. I also understand that the snap action of the Peco machine can put stress on the Peco turnout points over time. I have been leaning toward the Peco machines with a Lenz LS150 to control them DCC but also realize there are a lot more options when using the Tortoise. Anyway, does anyone have any experience with changing the spring wire in the Tortoise and keeping the spring in the turnouts? I’m so confused please help!
This doesn’t exactly answer your question, but I’m using Peco turnouts with Peco machines, and generally Atlas code 100 flex track, too. Most of the time I can get by with the Atlas rail joiners, but the Peco turnouts, I believe, come with joiners that I sometimes use if the Atlas ones won’t go on easily enough.
I like the Peco machines, but my only other machines for comparison are the Atlas snap-track ones. The Peco machines mount solidly to the underside of the turnout, so there are no alignment issues with them. You can buy (separate item) contact kits for the Peco machines to give you contact closures for signalling or panel indicator lights. Tortoise machines come with these already installed.
I’ve found that Peco machines really need a capacitive discharge circuit to work reliably. You can build one of these for a few dollars worth of parts.
I’ve been very happy with the Peco turnouts and switch machines. They’ve been completely trouble-free for over a year now.
I always remove the spring from Peco turnouts if I’m going to use a Tortoise or SwitchMaster (aka TorqueMaster) slow motiion motor. Your assumption is correct that if you don’t remove the spring, you’re defeating the slow motion action of the Tortoise.
I’d like to know more about this too. I’m buidling my 2nd layout now (HO and at the benchwork stage) and I’ve gone for Code 83 Peco flexi track and will be going for Tortoise motors with the NCE Switchit DCC controllers. (Made up my mind at the planning stage!)
I agree that the Peco spring snap action does seem to make the reason for having slow Tortoise switch machines redundant but I like the quality of both and want the combination. So, help guys! Advice please! Remove the spring? Leave the spring and change the Tortoise rod? Need some good advice here guys!
Ditto. I have about a hundred peco turnouts with Tortoises. Removed all the springs. They work just fine.
Tony may have been talking about the actuating wire, not electrical hook-up wire. The Tortoise comes with spring wire to throw the turnout, and it’s strong enough to throw mine with no problem, but perhaps wouldn’t if the turnout springs were there.
The spring in the Peco turnouts is no longer needed with the Tortoise machines. If you leave it in, the supplied actuating wire won’t work. If you put in the heavier wire, you still have snap action. Save the spring (if you can still find it). Sometimes you only need to loosen it a bit.
Unless they’ve changed them, Atlas rail joiners are a bit coarser than the Peco; I don’t think they fit as snugly on the rail.