I have now at the point of my track building that I am installing the Tortoise slo -mo's underneath the sub roadbed. After all of the turnouts I have done (4) 1of them worked without a flaw, 1 works after "shimming" the ties on either side of the throw bar, and 1 switches to one side and not the other. The 4th one? Well we won’t go into that. To me, the throw bars move pretty freely, but the tension in the spring wire is not enough to throw the "locking mechanism" in the Micro Engineering #6 Turnouts. I am using homosote for the roadbed. But truthfully after permanently installing them on to the layout, I made certain that there was a free action to the throw bar. Does anyone have any ideas? I thought about maybe shooting some Kadee® Grease ‘Em in there but I would think that may be only a temporary fix.
IIRC, M-E turnouts have an internal point locking spring. That may be causing some of the problem. I would substitute the .025 music wire supplied with .031(or greater) music wire. I would not put any lube in hte turnout point area. Kadee® Grease ‘Em is electrically conductive! The next item is a 'precision' Tortoise install:
Depending on the mounting scenerio, it takes anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes(bad day) to mount a Tortoise. Once installed - they are 'bullet proof'. You want to drill the holes before you lay the turnout. Pull the turnout if installed before drilling. I was very careful and destroyed a curved turnout because I did not take 5 minutes to take it out first!
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thanks for the tips. Unfortunately since the turnouts are already mounted to the layout permanently with the ¼” holes drilled directly under the throw bar, going through the steps you indicated may not be an option. Unless, it is a last resort. I will, however, try the thicker wire. I found out that when the turnout fails, I can just tap the turnout, and it will throw. So if I use the thicker wire it may be just what I need to get over the top. The remaining tortoises I install, however I will take the time to at least draw a center line. Again thanks for your help.
Andy Sperandeo MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
Ok is it possible to remove the spring while it is on the layout? Most of the turnouts I have , are already installed on the layout. If so Where is the spring located? I have .032 in wire coming, if this does not work I will go with the beefier variety. Happy New Year to you as well!
Hey guys!
I just wanted to say my Tortoise woes are over and it is full steam ahead for installing the rest of my turnouts. Thanks for all of the input. I went with the .032 gauge wire and it was enough to get me over the edge. What was an added bonus, I only need to drill one hole in the swing am of the Tortoise. The holes for the fulcrum and the throw bar of the turnout were a perfect fit. Thanks again.