N-scale Peco or Atlas turnouts

[Adelie]

I'm almost ready to lay track on about a third of the mainline of the N-scale Bunter Ridge. The staging area is complete, along with the two helixes that lead to and from it. So, I need to make an operational decision regarding mainline turnouts for crossovers. I'll use either Peco large radius or Atlas #7s (both code 55). Here is some background.

The layout is a folded dogbone, which makes the mainline double track. There are places where I have decided to increase to three tracks. Where the main goes from 2 to 3 tracks, there is also a crossover to allow either direction to benefit from the siding. For instance, if the third track joins the "eastbound" direction, there are crossovers that allow the "westbound" to shift to the normally "eastbound" track, be passed by another westbounder (the faster would take the straight route through the crossovers) and rejoin the "westbound" side prior to the main reducing to its normal double track. In the process, the eastbounder would be routed onto its passing siding to prevent a head-on problem. The moral of the story is that I want trains to be able to take these crossovers at some decent speed.

The mainline minimum radius is 27" with easements. Flex track in this section will be Micro Engineering code 55. I'm using DCC, although not for turnout control (not that it matters for this discussion). The turnouts may wind up being hand thrown by some mechanism or using tortoises. For the Pecos, that will mean that the spring may need to be "loosened" or removed to throw slowly.

I used Atlas 7s in the staging area without any incident. I tested them at fairly high speed (trains led by Atlas RSD4 with stock motor or LifeLike FA2 at full throttle), but most of my playing around since has been at speed typical of a staging yard. They have caused me no grief thus far. All rolling stock will have low-profile wheels.

I was leaning towards Pecos since they are theoretically #8s and sturdier, but I read somewhere here last week that the points are actually #6, and the closure radius is 36" (roughly #8). That returned this debate to a tossup, assuming the Atlas #7 is really a #7.

Thoughts and rationale before the jury convenes?

[DSchmitt]

I have used Peco 55 for years andd been very happy with them. I have never used Atlas 55.

I opened my 3rd Planit layout design program and compared the Peco 55 large to the Atlas 55 #7.

Peco 55 large, Frog angle 10 Frog # 5.72 Rail closure radius 36"

Atlas 55 #7, Frog angle 8.1 Frog # 7.06 Rail closure radius 41-32/32"

[Adelie]

Thanks Donald,

That was exactly the information I was looking for. Unfortunately, finding the actual specs on track seems to be impossible. I remember Walthers does (or used to) publi***he specs of theirs HO track to some degree in their catalog. Wish everyone did that.

[rtstasiak]

i can't say enough about PECO quality. I've got N and HO turnouts that are 25 years old and still in service. Enjoy!