Quality of turnouts

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi
I’m shopping around for new turnouts for my layout it is DCC run and I
would like to know which type of turnout is going to perform better
and look better a peco , walthers shinohara , or NMRA I already have
used the Atlas turnouts. My plan was doen in xtrkcad program and most
of the turnouts I used were peco and shinohara.
my layout is HO scale and I will be using tortoise switches on all of
them.
Which type of turnout would I get as well Insulfrog?
I would also like to find a good retailer with descent prices I need
quite a few of which ever type I decide to go with .
TY
Lynn

2

I use peco turnouts with absolutely no grief and an insulated frog with tortoise switches, however I use dc only.

3

You might want to read these:
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_walthers_old.htm
I added 2 very thin stranded jumper wires for my Walthers/Shinohara turnouts to connect the closure rails to the point rails (just in case the rail joiners stop working reliably). This shown better in the second link above.

4

Peco and Walthers/Shinohara are both good switches. Since the Pecos use a spring to hold the switch points against the rail, I don’t know how well a low-force turnout motor like a Tortoise will work. The ‘snap’ of the spring action will probably work against the slow-motion action of the Tortoise.

5

I think it’s standard procedure to remove the Peco spring when using Tortoises. I use Peco twin-coils, which really require the spring to do their job well. You have to remove the spring on the bench before you mount it, as I recall from reading other threads.

6

yes I have heard the same now that it may be best to remove the spring so the tortoise switch does its job as its designed . But this sounds like it would not be designed for pecos type which is its well known for its spring snap action.
Lynn

7

I use Peco insulfrogs with DCC and have had no problems (other than self induced, like when I got ballast into the spring mechanism and gummed up the whole turnout!). The spring should be removed for use with a tortoise. It is a very easy procedure to remove the spring.

http://www.cchobbies.com/track/peco.htm Cherry Creek Hobbies have some of the best prices on Peco on the web.

8

Simon
couple questions
1.how did the toroise turnouts react before you took the springs out
2. when the turnout changes direction does it still butt up tight against the rail?
Lynn

9

Thanks Simon your right they have very good prices and nice to deal with
Lynn

10

Since mosr people don’t encounter derailing until turnouts are put in, thats a good place to invest your money - it pays divdends.

Here’s the custom made switch for Pros.

http://www.railwayeng.com/turnouts.htm

The best ‘Prefab’: Notice the availability.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=Walthers+turnouts&quicksrch_butt.x=20&quicksrch_butt.y=5

11

Well I made the decision pecos won ran by tortoise switches :smiley:
Thanks Guys

12

The best will be the ones you build- Have a go, once you’ve built some, you’ll possibly be convinced. Use PC board for strenghth and reliability. You’'l save heaps of money, have control of power throught the frog, more accurate spacings (better looking and functioning) and you’ll be able to custom fit your turnouts to any space on your layout.
The compromise is the time and practice to get these working well, but there are many gauges and books to help. Try the Kalmbach publication on this topic.
Good luck