I’m planning on using Peco’s slips on my N scale layout as they would allow saving precious landscape and also be an interesting layout item,operation wise.I know these are sometimes called “puzzle switches” as they need special wiring care and control,but this I believe I can handle.
What I’d like to know is if they are nicely designed,meaning are they prone to shorts,derailments,rapid wear or other drawbacks,assuming they are installed properly that is.They look complex and fragile…is it so?Thanks.
That’s all that need be said about them. In the UK their service is well backed up as well in my experience.
A double slip can save you space but they are rare in the US where space isn’t usually a problem so they may look pretty but they won’t look right. It all depends on what you want to achieve.
If they are off scene the last doesn’t matter.
On or off scene they are more complex to operate with four ends to be driven in two pairs and all the changing around of polarity this will involve. DCC should be fun! I’ve never got one myself but I would expect that as being part of being good Peco would include instructions on how to do all these things.
If you didn’t know it Peco switches have an “over centre” operation - unless you take the spring out - and they do their own kick-over solenoids that plug in to the underside of the switch. You need no holding current.
I work in 00/H0 but I believe it’s exactly the same in N.
If you can lose a little length I would go for switches toe to toe rather than a double slip. A double slip uses pretty short radii so you can take your switches down low for the same effect. I would try out pairs of #4s before going to a slip… by “try out” I mean set them on a board and push and pull long stock through them with a loco.
I fully understand what you say Dave,but my problem is minimal space available for my layout.Not being too prototypical is a valuable point but my governing rule is “the more space I save,the more I can use”,yard tracks in this particular case.I intend to use them in my yard,where speeds will be minimal,so that their short radiuses shouldn’t be too much of a problem for most of my cars hopefully.
Nearly all of my cars are small to medium sized with only a few long passenger cars but I do run big horses (AC4400’,SD90’s) so I will indeed test them before permanent installation.Thanks for your opinion.
I’m using a Peco single slip on my N scale layout and it’s been very reliable. I’m driving it with two tortise switch machines. My only beef with it is that it just doesn’t look right next to my Atlas code 55 track:
Let the Old Dog second those remarks. Slip switches and double crossovers are creatures of the “high rent district”. They would only be where space is extremely limited like the leads to a big city downtown passenger terminal. Railroads will normally use the simplest track layout that will do the job to keep initial costs and maintenance to a mininum.
The Old Dog just happened to be looking at the plan for a through passenger station in old book last night. The design used two single crossovers( one left and one right), not a double crossover. the double crossover would space (length) but add four addition frogs hence would be used only if it were the only option.
If such fancy track work is used, the Old Dog would suggest using scenery should as high rise office building to make it look like land was expensive in the area.
I don’t have any single or double slips, but Peco makes the best N scale turnouts for the money as far as I am concerned. I won’t buy anything else, and I assume their slips would be of the same calibur.
