Micro Engineering Turnouts and Tortoise Switch Machines.

[bagman]

 

Hi guys

I am planning on using the above combination and have read that it is suggested when using the Tortoise with ME turnouts the "throw-bar" spring should be removed.

Wondering if any of you guys have differing opinions on this.

For example, if I was to use a heavier guage wire that that supplied with the Tortoise would it be necessary to remove the spring ??

Appreciate you taking the time to reply

 

regards

 

[markpierce]

Hmmm, I thought it was the Peco turnouts that had the spring.

I'd remove the spring, if it has one.  It creates a sudden motion, ruining the slow motion effect of the Tortoise switch machine.  Also, it is harder on the turnout since the motion is sudden.

Mark

[trainnut1250]

I use stall motors (switchmaster) with my ME turnouts and I remove the springs.  Easy to do and they work more smoothly.  Common wisdom among tortoise users is to beef up the wire, since I have no experieince here, can't recoommend a gauge.

 

Guy

[markpierce]

I've always found the wire coming with the Tortoise to be worthless for the intended purpose.  A wire of slightly larger diameter is needed whether or not one removes the spring (but not as large as needed if one leaves the spring in the turnout).

Mark

[bagman]

Thanks for replying guys.

Looks like removing the spring is the way to go.

Have already removed one as a practice and you are right....very easy.

I follow what you are saying.....leaving the spring in defeats the purpose of slow motion.

 

cheers

 

[JulesB]

I use stall motors (switchmaster) with my ME turnouts and I remove the springs.  Easy to do and they work more smoothly.  Common wisdom among tortoise users is to beef up the wire, since I have no experieince here, can't recoommend a gauge.

 

Guy

I use Fastrack jigs and hand lay some turnouts. The wire that comes with Tortoise I found is to weak. I use .032" music wire, works really well. Of course if you use thick foam you may have to go to .036-38".

Jules

 

[markpierce]

Hmmm, I thought it was the Peco turnouts that had the spring.

I'd remove the spring, if it has one.  It creates a sudden motion, ruining the slow motion effect of the Tortoise switch machine.  Also, it is harder on the turnout since the motion is sudden.

Mark

ME switches have always had springs...

David B 

Sorry ... count me ignorant.  I have never met an ME turnout.  I haven't seen premade turnouts or flex track since the 1960s except for a short time last year where we laid Pecos and Walthers turnouts and flex-track.  I did spend a lot of time laying Simpson and BK Enterprise turnouts between those times.  Let me tell you about the time Russ Simpson came by my parent's home in the 1960s.  No, you have better ask.  That deserves a separate thread.

Mark

Mark

[ChrisNH]

I cant speak for ME turnouts.. but I recently installed a tortoise on a peco N turnout and left the spring in to ease making it manual later. Unfortunately, the motor couldnt overcome the spring tension. I pried the spring out with a small screw driver.

I have read that others have done it.. so perhaps if I had fiddled more with the spring tension I could have done it but it was not that important to me.

Chris

[dstarr]

I cant speak for ME turnouts.. but I recently installed a tortoise on a peco N turnout and left the spring in to ease making it manual later. Unfortunately, the motor couldnt overcome the spring tension. I pried the spring out with a small screw driver.

I have read that others have done it.. so perhaps if I had fiddled more with the spring tension I could have done it but it was not that important to me.

Chris

Simular experience here.  HO Peco turnouts on 2 inch foam.  The operating wire that came with the Peco turnouts wasn't long enough, so I used piano wire, one grade thicker than the Peco issue wire.  I had to drill out the Toroise machine with a #61 drill to accept the thicker wire. Once installed, the Tortoise was unable to throw the turnout against the force of the over center spring.  Once I popped the spring out, everything worked fine.  I now have a small glass jar of Peco over center springs.  Not quite sure why I kept them, but you never know.