I am going to be using Peco code 55 turnouts with Tortoise machines. Will I have to remove the springs on the turnouts or will the Tortoise’s have the power to work them? Also there is no predrilled hole in the center of the throwbar? How dificult is it to drill and what can I damage drilling? Thanks.
Bud: I just looked at the catalog picture, and there seem to be holes at the ends of the throwbars. Peco may have moved them so that their switch machines work in the center of their range. (N gauge is mounted off center).
Try the Tortoises on one point. You can usually get at the spring from above if you have to. You might instaed use the heavier wire on the switch machine.
I recently found out that the little cover over the spring on the Pecos doesn’t have to be removed at all in order to get to the spring and remove it. Just slide the cover as far as it will go and the spring is pretty much deactivated. Slide the cover back, and the normal spring loaded operation returns.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!