Last weekend I picked up several code 100 PECO switches. When I got them home I noticed that there is a new design which looks better but also appears to be worse off if the spring has to be changed. The spring access is no longer a box on top but a plate underneath the turnout. Here’s a few pics.
Here’s the old design. I picked this one up the same time. Note the spring box on top.
Here’s the new design. Note no box on top. The second pic is underneath and shows the spring access. I guess you’d have to remove the turnout to change the spring.
I like the change. Looks a whole lot better. Maintenance wise it would be a pain to replace a broken spring. Although I have never had one break on me.
Does it use the same type of centering spring? I couldn’t really tell from the pictures. I have had to replace several of those springs over the many years of track work. Although most of the replacements have been on used turnouts.
Why are the Peco code 100 spring design is way different than the code 83? I have the code 83 and the spring is not even protected by a box. And that’s why I have broken a few springs when I was laying track.
My code 83 Peco switch looks like “Motley’s” switch. The switch I have does not have bottom cover, does have a bottom spring, & mine are open exactly as in the previous pix. I can’t imagine that the spring could be broken with normal use. If that is the case, (Hey!) I’ll become the ‘new’ spring ‘heat treating’ entrepenure right now… Heh, heh…
The important change in the Peco 100’s isn’t the spring. They moved the gaps between the frog and the closure rails away from the frog, and to a place where metal wheel shorts are now impossible. Code 83 and 75 had this design from the start.
I’ve installed close to 50 Peco code 100 HO scale turnouts and have never broken a spring – if this is happening, there’s something amiss in your handling of them.
I am now in the market for a couple Peco code 100 turnouts, and want to hopefully purchase the “redesigned” types. I need several “short” ones as well as a “long wye” switch. Which switches in their line were revamped: all code 100, or just the electrofrogs or insulfrogs?
Also, since my local store doesn’t carry them and I will need to order online how can I tell which ones are the old ones and which are new? Did they switch item numbers?
The electrofrog design was changed; don’t know if the insulfrog was. There was no change in the model numbers, but all import in the last 15 months or so were the new design. Some dealers might have old stock on the back shelf, but it should be cleared out by now. The new placement of the gaps is an improvement for DCC, but one thing (in addition to the lack of spring access) I don’t like is that the gaps have no insulator, but are just open. And the closure rails can move enough to either nearly close the gaps, or push the point rails to where they won’t mate properly with the stock rails. I have installed a bunch over the past year, and had to shorten the point rails slightly on some. The closure rails should be nailed down to the ties better. Hal
The spring is still replaced from the top on the new design Peco turnouts. If you look closely in your picture you will see that there is a small plate on top of the tie right below the throw bar (it has what looks like a small vertical locating tab on each side). If you take a sharp Exacto knife blade, you can get hold of this small plate and push it toward the throw bar and then raise it up - the spring is now exposed and can be removed. I have removed the spring from 10-12 turnouts (cannot use the spring with my turnout control method) with about 40 to go. Haven’t tried to put any springs back in but it appears that it would be a real pain in the lower anatomy. If anybody needs springs, contact me.
