There was a time when I had setup a table top layout for my sons that used sectional track and Atlas Snap Switches. They ran the trains around it for a few years before they moved on and I started building my real layout.
I noticed that on those Atlas turnouts the frogs had started to wear down. I decided that I didn't want a situation like that so I used Peco Electofrog turnouts. I haven't had any issues with them although the initial installation required a little more work to make them DCC friendly.
A few years ago I started work on my steel mill. I decided to use insulfrog turnouts to make it easier since there wouldn't be as much traffic as out on the mainline. I am happy with the results.
From that project I had a few turnouts left over because I made some changes to the track plan after I had bought them. Now I am adding some more industrial areas and will be installing turnouts on the mainline to service them. I'm tempted to use the insulfrogs that I have on hand.
Has anyone had issues with those frogs wearing down?
Rick
I used Peco Insulfrog turnouts on my current layout (track laid in 2014) and have had zero issues with them. To be fair though, the layouts of my youth used Atlas, Life-Like, Bachmann, and Tyco turnouts, usually in combination and I don't recall worn out frogs on any of them. What exactly was wearing out on yours?
Mike
Water Level Route What exactly was wearing out on yours?
What exactly was wearing out on yours?
The point (or nose) of the frog which is plastic. They didn't get to the stage where they caused derailments but I didn't want to take the chance that they could eventually.
Atlas Custom Line turnouts have metal frogs, only the Snap Switches have plastic frogs.
The metal frogs on Atlas turnouts are isolated and can be powered if you want to. Best of both worlds, for 2/3rds the price.
Sheldon
Our module group has used insulfrog turnouts for a very long time. Some of mine are more than 25 years old. The only issue I have had is the gap on the guard rails being too wide. Because they are built to the British OO standard the guard rail gap is wider and that allows the wheels to pick the point and sometimes bridge the frog gap shorting out the district. We cured the issue by glueing a shim of styrene to the guard rail. Zero problems after that. These are code 100 BTW.
Pete.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Atlas Custom Line turnouts have metal frogs, only the Snap Switches have plastic frogs. The metal frogs on Atlas turnouts are isolated and can be powered if you want to. Best of both worlds, for 2/3rds the price. Sheldon
I do have some of the Atlas Custom line but those should have a ground throw or switch machine installed. The Peco turnouts don't require anything extra. Since I only have a few turnouts operated by switch machines for most of my areas the Peco are a better solution.
hbgatsf ATLANTIC CENTRAL Atlas Custom Line turnouts have metal frogs, only the Snap Switches have plastic frogs. The metal frogs on Atlas turnouts are isolated and can be powered if you want to. Best of both worlds, for 2/3rds the price. Sheldon I do have some of the Atlas Custom line but those should have a ground throw or switch machine installed. The Peco turnouts don't require anything extra. Since I only have a few turnouts operated by switch machines for most of my areas the Peco are a better solution.
No question, if the built in springs work for you, go PECO or the new Walthers.
Personally even where I have ground throws I need electrical feedback about turnout position, so the little built in springs don't work for me.
hbgatsf ... Has anyone had issues with those frogs wearing down?
...
No, not for me. But, if I found that my Peco Code 83 IF's were wearing at the frogs, I'd just paint the defective portion(s) with a dab of either clear nail varnish to start with (in case that buys me another 12 months, or even just six, of running), or I'd use a two-part five minute epoxy. Masking tape strips first to create a coffer dam of sorts, as needed, and then pour in drops at a time of epoxy, letting each settle a bit and spred to ensure I'm not adding too much. Do this over a whole 45 seconds and you'll be well under the curing time.
But again, I'm into several years, and at least three layouts, on my Peco IFs and they seem to run as before.