Mounting a Tortoise on the newer DCC-friendly Walthers Code 83 Turnouts

[gherder]

Hi, 

The new DCC-friendly Walthers turnouts have two metal eyelets in the throwbar, not just one in the middle like the older non-DCC ones.  When mounting a tortoise machine underneath, do you offset it to use one of the two eyelets, or do you drill another hole in the middle of the plastic throwbar between the metal eyelets?

Thanks, Gary

 

 

 

 

[larak]

Hi Gary,

I generally punch out a 1/2" hole in the roadbed before mounting the turnout. So ... I often drill a hole in the center of the throwbar. Sometimes though my hole ends up a bit off center and I use one of the eyelets.

On the older code 100 Shinoharas, I modify for DCC friendliness by replacing the throwbar with a piece of PC board. On these I have attached the tortoise to the center and to one side (outside of the TO itself).

In short - anywhere will work as long as the throw rod from the tortoise has room to move.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Karl

PS: I use .039 piano wire NOT the thinner, too short for foam, version that comes with it. The thicker wire has more tension. 

[bagman]

On a related matter, anyone used the Tortoise machines with Mico Engineering turnouts WITHOUT removing the throwbar spring ??

Just curious if it makes any difference. Obviously stronger piano wire would be needed

 

cheers

 

[larak]

I have NOT done this, but my instincts tell me that the tortoise has more than sufficient torque to overcome the spring. The spring would be rendundant but not harmful.

Karl 

[wickman]

I use the tortoise on pecos ( HO ) I found I had to remove the springs although later on I also found out that the springs could simply be stretch so that they were weaker. Some people use a larger piano wire and keep the springs.

[dadret]

I have several Walthers turnouts with Tortoise machines and I always drill a small hole with my Dremel in the center of the throw bar