HO Curved Turnout

[Anonymous]

What is the tightest radius curved tunrout available in HO code 100? I am planning a tight branchline and need a curved turnout.

[cacole]

If you mean that you need both tracks curved, Peco makes one that is 18 and 22 inch radius curves, and so does Shinohara. Walthers sells Shinohara track under their own brand name, but not the code 100. Check http://www.cchobbies.com for Peco track at the best prices.

[challenger3802]

Alternatively the largest stockist of Peco turnouts in Europe is http://www.thesignalbox.co.uk

Ian

[Anonymous]

Thanks, that is exactly what I am looking for. I will have to order a couple.

[knewsom]

When did Peco change the radius of their curved turnouts to 18" and 22"? The curved turnouts that I bought from Peco last year are 17 1/4" and 20 3/4" curves. I like the Peco turnouts, but ,my BLI class A will not go through them. I have a few of the Shinohara curved turnouts and my Class A has no problem with them.

Thanks,
Kevin

[MichaelWD]

OK what is the difference between Peco's Insulfrog and the other turnouts. I see that Walthers have the 522-245 on sale.
Thanks for the help
Mike Dickinson

[cacole]

I try to avoid Peco Electrofrog turnouts because they require a lot of additional wiring and insulating to avoid shorts and dead spots. The Insulfrog turnouts have insulated frogs, just as the name implies.

Peco makes different sizes of curved, double-radius turnouts. When I listed the radius as 18 and 22, I was just having to guess since I didn't have one here to measure at the time.

[MichaelWD]

Is Peco the turnout that has the spring to hold the points in place?. What do you use for a switch machine. I am thinking of replaceing some in my hidden staging yard and will these be OK?
Thanks Mike Dickinson

[challenger3802]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MichaelWD

Is Peco the turnout that has the spring to hold the points in place?. What do you use for a switch machine. I am thinking of replaceing some in my hidden staging yard and will these be OK?

Peco turnouts do have centre springs holding the points in place. If you're not up to removing the springs it is possible to use either the Hornby, Peco or Gaugemaster (Seep) turnout motors. On the other hand if you want to use the Tortoise switch machine you'll have to remove the centre spring. (There's a thread elsewhere on here which covers removing it).

Ian

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: I like the Peco turnouts, but ,my BLI class A will not go through them.

I love these switches, but I had that problem with Peco Code 100 switches and certain wheelsets and trucks. The gap between the guard rails and the stock rail is too wide for rp 25 wheels. This allows the wheels to ride too far over on the points and derail. They are designed this way to meet NEM (European standards) which have deeper and thicker flanges.

I solved it by shimming the inside of the guard rail with thin styrene to bring it up to rp-25 specs. It ias probably easier to use another brand turnout or the new code 83 line from peco. The problem does not affect about 90% of my rolling stock, just certain ones. To me it was worth it to shim because I like the smoothness and sturdieness of these switches.

Guy

[samgolden]

Another place to get the Peco Turnouts is fshobby.com they have good prices and the shipping is only $4.00.