I would like to know, about switches. I currently have manual/wire atlas code 83 switches/turn-outs. Is it easy to wire? I have heard that they can wear out quickly. I am looking for advice on the best turn-outs and wiring advice.
Thanks in advance Tommy
Hi Tommy;
Based on the experience of www.comrail.org I recommend Peco. Most are hand thrown, those that are out of reach are powered with Tortise machines. Never had a Tortise fail, and some there have over five years of hard club and display layout use.
The Tortise is easy to wire, and comes with suggestions for several different ways to do it.
I Agree peco are the best i’ve used. Peco have spring action to hold the point against the stock rail. Never a derailment there. There are no bulky pieces on top whether or not you use manual or remote operation. Joe
The Peco switch is a very reliable choice. The switch motor is good too, but I would recommend a capacitor discharge unit for any switch macine that is solenoid operated. (The tortoise is I think a rotary motor drive, and doesn’t need that extra “oomph”.) Peco machines are easy to wire, just connect the contacts on one side together as common, and the other two contacts separately for “main” and “branch”. Remember that the activating rod is pulled into the solenoid coil by the current. So you wire the coils to pull the rails to the main or to the branch. The Peco turnout is designed to hold the switch machine underneath itself (different lugs are used for HO or N) It’s a great system. Good luck.