I have a shelf switching layout that i want to do. someday in the future it will be part of a larger well, longer that is shelf layout. so i want to use more gradual turnouts compared to the Atlas snap switches that i used on my son’s layout.
I have heard that Atlas customeline #4’s are more gradual than the snap switches. I have heard that the peco small turouts are similar to the Atlas Snap switches…so, are the Peco medium turnouts a #4? is the Atlas custome line #4 really a #4?
if the atlast CL #4 turnout and the Peco medium turnouts are the same as far as the degree of curve, the Peco’s are the better ones to get correct? I am looking for problem-free operations with my steam locos that have front trucks of 4 wheels, I get derailments 90% of the time when i run the steam with 4 wheel truck pilots through the snap switches.
It sounds more like there is an issue with the leading trucks if they are derailing at more than one turnout. You do have an NMRA gauge, don’t you? I would check the gauge of the wheels. I have Atlas turnouts on my layout, and can run my 4-8-4 through my turnouts, in both directions, without nary a problem. Of course, I am using #6s.
I think the Peco mediums are an approximate match for the Atlas snap switches. I like the Peco’s because the Peco switch machine mounts solidly to the underside of the turnout, eliminating alignment problems. It’s still a twin-coil machine, not a slow-motion one like a Tortoise. I usually don’t have derailment problems, but the few turnout-related derailments that I do have are never on the Pecos. (Unless, of course, it’s because I forgot to throw them! [:D])
I dont have a NMRA gauge. I suppose i should get one.
the derailments are not on all of the turnouts, just 3 of them actually now that i think about it. course i only have 7.
So the peco mediums are the same as the Atlas snap switches then…So if i was thinking of Atlas #4’s i should be looking at Peco large?
If the Atlas Custome Line #4’s are really good, then i suppose i will get those, as the LHS doesnt carry Peco. I suppose if the peco’s are so much better, I could order them online. I do like the fact that they have the spring load in them and wont need a ground throw. I dont do under table Tortoise, I dont even care to do that. I design the layouts so that All turnouts are in arm’s reach. this shelf layout i designed is 14’ long by 1’ wide. its a really sweet layout, I wish i had designed it before i designed my son’s 4x8
Peco Mediums are closer to a #6 than a #4. Peco Short might be close to snap switch. An atlas snap switch has a section of an 18 inch radius curve through it. Atlas #4 are actually closer to a #5 and are pretty good turnouts. I have a bunch of Peco’s and a bunch of Atlas on my layout. - Nevin
I agree with the previous post. Peco medium turnouts should handle just about any engine out there as well as 86’ passenger cars. My conclusion also is they are bigger than a #4 and not nearly as toy train like in appearance. For a switching layout that little spring uilt in makes them easy to throw manually and stay put. I use them exclusively.
As someone else said it is closer to a #5. I measured both of these at one time but have forgotten the numbers. Seems like the short Peco ended up being a #4.6 or 4.75. I use both these turnouts all the time with very few problems. I even substituted a Peco short into the club layout instead of a medium about five years ago, and no one has noticed.
In the Walthers catalog, except for code 83, all Peco turnouts small, medium and large radius have a frog angle of 12 degrees which equal to a #4. Peco code 100 and 75 do follow European standards and their design are based on toy train set geometry.
As someone else said it is closer to a #5. I measured both of these at one time but have forgotten the numbers. Seems like the short Peco ended up being a #4.6 or 4.75. I use both these turnouts all the time with very few problems. I even substituted a Peco short into the club layout instead of a medium about five years ago, and no one has noticed.
[/quote]
So the Peco small is a #4, but is actually closer to a #5.
Ok, I will look into getting a few of those.
for my shelf switcher, I need 3 righthanders. I designed the layout with the Atlas RTS and I picked the Atlas Custom line #4’s. The Peco’s should fall within reason on the design.
I am also using a 3way i have, I dont know who made it, but it seems to work pretty well.