I have always had success with Atlas turn outs and flex track in the past (Code 100) but am building a new shelf layout and want to try Peco turn outs. I love curved switches and wanted to go to Code 83 for the new layout but there seems to be a bigger variety of Peco curved turn outs in Code 100. I also have DCC and as I recall I need to but the insulate ones, on the electrofrog ones. Am I right?
Thanks for your help, DON
Peco has been expanding their lineup of code 83 turnouts. You should check Walthers and see what is actually available. They have been advertising code 83 curved turnouts for a while but I’m not sure if you can actually get them yet.
Either the electrofrog of insulfrog will work. I tried an insulfrog code 100 and didnt like it. I had problems with shorting at the frog. The insulating section on the frog wasnt long enough and a wheel could bridge the rails and cause a short.
I bought a code 83 #6 electrofrog. The frog is gapped and their is a wire already attached to power it. I liked it but they have gotten too expensive for me. I think a #6 code 83 lists for about $30. You can get them a little cheaper but they are significantly more expensive than Walthers code 83 and at least twice the cost of Atlas.
I decided to just stick with atlas code 83 except for a couple curved Walthers code 83.
You could still use Atlas code 83 and just use Walthers code 83 curved turnouts.
I purchased all of my code 100 peco switches from http://www.cchobbies.com/track/pecocode83.htm and as you can see he also has code 83 , and personally I found him to best prices I could find and when I ordered he had it out same day. As for insulfrog , I have them and had problems with point contact , loss of power , I had to solder feed wires and all was well.