I've been installing HO-scale Caboose Industries manual turnout throws on my HO layout. They look pretty good but are obviously larger than scale. I've heard others mention using the N-scale Caboose Industries throws on their HO layouts. I've actually never seen the N-scale version so I don't know how they compare both looks-wise and ease-of-use. Can anyone comment on their use for HO-scale? Thanks.
PS. I haven't been on the forums in awhile so I apologize if this topic has been covered recently.
I have used them - they look a lot better. The big issue is the 'travel' in them is smaller and therefore the points may not snug up close to the stock rail. Atlas turnouts have a larger gap between the points and stock rail - and this can be an issue. I would buy a couple and 'test' them first....
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
According to the Caboose Industries web site, their HO scale ground throws have a travel distance of .190 inches, and the N scale version travel distance is .135. The HO scale version just barely has enough travel distance to work with some brands of turnouts, so the N scale one may not have enough travel distance.
I would just try a couple and see -- they're not that expensive, so if you have to replace them you haven't lost much.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
Yeah, the only issue with Caboose N scale switch stands and HO turnouts is the distance the points have to move. On my scratch built turnouts with shorter throws (because the point to stock rail gap is smaller) they work fine (except when people tear their heads off). For a commercial turnout with full-size NMRA spec point to stock rail gaps they're kind of iffy. Try a few and see how they work.
But even though the Nscale switch stands are smaller than HO they're still freakin' hugely overscale.
Regards,
Charlie Comstock