Has anyone ever uses Peco switch machines with Atlas or Shinohara code 100 turnouts? I have several of the switch machines but I had to stop using the Peco curved turnouts because my BLI Class A would not go through the inner radius curve without derailing. I would like to use the switch machines if possible.
Thanks,
Kevin
Good Morning Kevin
I’ve used Peco’s and a Tortoise on my Shinohara’s. They work well but require a motor adapter so they willlock in place. Additionally you can also mount an accessory switch inline with the motor.
Were you using small or large radius double curved peco’s? Small peco’s have an inside diameter of 18" if I’m not mistaken.
Fergie
Fergie,
I was using the small or medium radius ones. It the ST-244 and ST-245 on the Loys Toys site (http://www.loystoys.com/peco/100-if-turnouts.html). They have a 17 1/4 “/19 7/8 " radius. The inside curve is just a little too tight for the Class A. I have been switching them out with the double curved Shinohara code 100 turnouts which are 18”/24" radius.
What type of motor adapter did you need to get. Is it something you can buy or do I need to build it from scratch?
Thanks,
Kevin
I have had good success using Peco switch machines with Shinohara curved and straight turnouts, but some modification is required.
Here is how to proceed.
The regular Peco switch machines have a pin that is too short to use so you need to purchase the Peco extended-pin machines (Walthers #552-105). You also need to purchase a Peco Motor Adapter (Walthers #552-3003) for each Shinohara turnout. Attach the Peco machine to the motor adapter in the normal manner and then very carefully align the switch machine/adapter assembly to the underside of the turnout with the extended pin through the points of the turnout. Test to be sure that the points open and close correctly when the switch machine is toggled, and then glue the motor adapter to the bottom of the turnout. Clip off the excess of the extended pin that protrudes throuth the turnout and install the turnout on your layout.
Hope this works as well for you as it has for me.
Fred Goddard
Fred beat me to it as it doesn’t get any easier then that. You’ll find the Pico motor has 6 mounting pins. The two in the centre will have to be bent down so they won’t be in the way.
If your ballasting you may want to put a thin barrier between bottom of ties and motor adapter so the ballast doesn’t fill the void. Of course you will have to slot the barrier so it won’t interfere with the pin.
Fergie
Thanks for the information above. I have ordered the Peco Motor Adapter for my existing switch machines and will begin installing them shortly.
Thanks again for your help.
Kevin
Fergie – you are right about the thin barrier for ballast. I did that on my layout, but forgot to mention it.
Fred
Does the Peco motor adapter provide the snap-action to hold the points to the stock rails that a regular Peco turnout has? I used a couple of these Peco machines with Atlas turnouts when I ran out of Rix’s.
I had to kludge up a a linkage that used a small spring attached to a link made of a bent paper clip that ran from the throwbar under the table to provide some small pressure against the stock rails. As it is, I think if I blow on the points they would still move. Not the best arrangement…
GeorgeV