Shinohara Code 83, new -vs- old, how do you tell the differance

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Am looking into Walthers Code 83 switches. I run DCC, so I see in the website desription, the new switches are DCC friendly(??), in seeing others for sale, (at shows ect…), how do I tell the differance between the older style and the newer style?

, Is the packaging differant?, Item numbers differant?

Thanks,

David

2

Dave,

The Walther/Shinohara code 83 turnouts were originally manufactured with a ‘live’ frog that required insulated rail joiners/gaps on the frog end, and power is fed from the point end(the same as classic Shinohara code 100/70 turnouts).

The new ‘DCC Friendly’ versions have gaps before and after the frog(it is now insulated). The packaging indicates ‘DCC Friendly’. If you do not have the packaging, look at the frog area and you can see the gaps.

You can use the older turnouts with DCC, just make sure you gap them correctly.

Jim

3

Thanks Jim,

Dave

4

Dave.

Jim is half right. The older turnouts have the points soldered to a solid bar at the point and the pivot. The DCC friendly versions have individual point rails. You can still use the older version with DCC by cutting gaps before and after the frogs. But the points will still be hot and if a wheel back touches the other point it will trip the breaker. I have also seen a derailment on the clubs layout that melted the plastic tie under the rivet and burnt the brass contact bar at the pivot .

Pete