I have a particular geometrical situation on my layout for wich a double slip turnout would be a perfect solution to.However,I have never used any of them yet and am a bit worried that their somewhat complex design might make them unreliable,this being even worse with articulated steamers.I have one on hand and it does feel sturdy and should work well but before installing it,I’d like to have a few answers from someone who has tried them.
My worst concern are derailments.Since it won’t be easily accessible when the layout will be more completed,I’d like to know if I can trust it as well as other Peco turnouts.
Secondly,are they good current carriers with only the rail contacts like other Peco TO’s or is it necessary to power the frogs separately.The layout is in a rather nice environment so humidity and dirt aren’t issues.
Have someone ever run big articulateds on them?If so,are they sufficiently reliable for this considering that only low to mild speeds will ever be used on this part of the layout.
Lastly,how well do they throw with the PL10’s?Should I use Tortoise’s or other ways to throw it?
I like the idea for space saving,so if they are reliable,I’ll likely have one or two more in my yard but having never used one,I’m kind of worried.I would highly appreciate any comment on these.Thanks.
I like double slip switches because they save space in yards and industrial areas. I have several Peco C75 and they work very well. I don’t really know about the C55, but I would suspect that they are also of good quality.
I have found the ones I have to be reliable and in gauge. When you get them, check them with an NMRA gauge. Test them by running your loco through one. If you don’t like it, you should be able to return them.
Like a turnout, they have a specific frog angle. The number 4 is sharper than the number 6. If your articulate will go around an 18 inch radius curve, the number 4 or small radius should be OK for it. However, just to be on the safe side, I would go for the wider radius or number 6 if I could. Since I run four axle diesels, I use the number 4’s or sharp radius ones.
It is necessary to power the frogs (both) on them.
Not sure about how they throw with the PL10’s but I would suspect they would do alright. The ones I have still have the over-center springs on them just like all the other Peco turnouts.
Double slips are used in yards etc, but I don’t think they were used much on loco service trackage.
Jacktal.
I have had no experience with the Peco double slip switches, but I have nothing but Peco switches on my small 3’ X 6’ “N” Scale layout. When I started out, I had a few cheap turnouts and I would have derailment problems occasionally even though everything checked out OK with the NMRA gauge. When I changed to Peco switches and flex track, all my derailments disappeared like magic. It may have been just dumb luck on my part that I did everything right when I installed everything, but I like to think that it was because of the solid manufacturing that goes into the making of their quality switches and track.
As far as the PL-10’s go, they work very well with these T.O’s and mount right to the base of the turnout. This means that you have to cut a hole in the layout for the PL-10 to fit in. But like all snap switches, they are noisy and you do not have to remove the “over centre spring” that allows the points to snap and hold in place when moved with your finger. If you do go with Tortoise motors, you will have to remove the spring as the Tortoise motor is not strong enough to overcome the over centre spring.
In my opinion, although the Peco Turnouts are pricey, their bullet-proof operation in my case made it a no brainer.
A word of caution when installing switches. Just put any adhesive down at both ends of the switch and keep it away from any moving parts and away from the points. Please do not ask how I know this.[banghead]
Blue Flamer.