Turnouts & Diesel Engines

[jjsjjs]

Just getting back into the hobby after a very long absence. Which manufacturer makes better turnouts Shinohara(Walthers) or Peco? I want all metal frogs.

What has been the experience with the Proto 2000 line of diesel engines? I am planning to buy a pair of Alco S3s when they become available.

Thanks from a newcomer of sorts. I just pulled out my old equipment(1950 vintage) and all the rolling stock uses Mantua couplers. Anyone remember them?

jack

[nfmisso]

Hi Jack;

Turnouts: at comrail.org it was fournd that Peco were more reliable. Most are hand thrown, those too far to reach have Tortise motors.

P2K locomotives are generally excellent. P2K has greatly raised the bar in recent years. Other top "plastic" locomotives include: Atlas, Kato, BLI, Stewart. If you are intereested in diesel switchers, be sure to check out Stewart's Baldwins.

I have seen models with Mantua couplers, I have some Mantua Sharks too.

[Anonymous]

I would agree on the Peco turnouts. I'm in the process of completing my layout and I started with Atlas and half way through switched to Peco. Next winter will bring the replacement of the Atlas switches.

I also agree on the plastic models listed above. I would say Kato are the best woth Stewart a close second. Smooth, strong and quite.

[Anonymous]

I remember Mantua couplers! I recently ordered a Trix HO Union Pacific caboose which came with European couplers which greatly resemble the old Mantua's. Trix is make by Marklin so that explains the couplers. Unfortunately it also came with wheelsets that were not insulated (for Marklin 3 rail HO track. I replaced them with P2K wheels.

Ed

[johncolley]

I have a 4 unit Stewart FT that is neat and a pair of BLI E-7's that are GREAT! BLI is coming out with NW2 and SW7's soon with QSI sound. I can't wait! I will soon convert the Stewarts to DCC/ sound. Once you go there "silent running" just doesn't make it. John Colley Port Townsend, WA

[jfugate]

P2K diesels look great and run pretty well when they are new, but as they age, power pickup problems develop.

On my Siskiyou Line, I have a dozen P2K SD9s, and they all have developed pickup problems. After lots of testing and experimenting, I have tracked the problem down to the stamped copper plates in the truck sideframes. The axle holes are stamped out and form a jagged split that acts like a dirt and gunk magnet.

Plus the axle holes wear, creating slop. The slop combined with the dirt makes the power pickup reliability drop considerably.

I've found a workaround: lube the axle tips with a conductive lubricant. Trouble is, the lubricant disipates with couple hours of operation, and then starts collecting dirt, making the problem worse very quickly.

A more permanent fix is to disassemble the trucks, fill the stamped holes with solder, and redrill them out to minimum clearance with the axle tips. But solder is soft and slop wears quickly back into the sideframes as you keep operating the locos.

The permanent fix is to add track wipers to both trucks on both sides, soldered to the copper sideframes. Paint the wipers black and you'll hardly see them.

[Anonymous]

[:)] Good news for you Jack!
PECO announces a brand new US prototypical track line in code 83 (I’d preferred code75!?).
Flex track, #5 and # 6 turnouts (left and right of course), a crossing (don’t remember what angle) will be released this year.
More will follow next year.

Best regards,

Andre INGELS
Brussels, Belgium (The beer land [:I])