DCC and Turnouts

[mwalther]

I am building layout using Walthers code 83 turnouts with Tortoise motors and intend to go DCC. When I started I got regular turnouts. Now Walthers has DCC turnouts and I have some of them. What does a DCC turnout do that a regular one doesn't. Does it matter that I have some of each? Do I have to do something with the reglular ones now? Also I intend to use Peco code 100 turnouts operated by hand for a small portion of the layout, what is the difference between insul frog and electro frog when using DCC? I have not hooked up any DCC yet to see for myself. Thanks

[cacole]

The wiring of the frog is probably going to be the only difference between a regular turnout and one that claims to be a DCC turnout. At the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's HO-scale layout, we use both Atlas and Peco Insulfrog turnouts and have had no problems with either one as far as DCC is concerned -- they all work good on both DC and DCC. Walthers claim may be more advertising hype than reality.

[dano99a]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

The wiring of the frog is probably going to be the only difference between a regular turnout and one that claims to be a DCC turnout. At the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's HO-scale layout, we use both Atlas and Peco Insulfrog turnouts and have had no problems with either one as far as DCC is concerned -- they all work good on both DC and DCC. Walthers claim may be more advertising hype than reality.

unless it's a turnout that comes with a decoder for the switch machine?? beyond that I don't see what the big deal is.

I use atlas insulated and non insulated turnouts and eveything seems to be just fine I just wired it just like it said on the back (including the ones that use relays to change the polarity on the frog)

[ClinchValleySD40]

The new Walthers turnouts (DCC friendly they call them) come with the frog insulated, same as Atlas.