Login
or
Register
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
»
Model Railroader
»
Forums
»
Layouts and layout building
»
Shimming Walthers Code 83 Turnouts
Shimming Walthers Code 83 Turnouts
1708 views
3 replies
Order Ascending
Order Descending
ssprokop
Member since
June 2003
From: US
4 posts
Shimming Walthers Code 83 Turnouts
Posted by
ssprokop
on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 10:21 PM
I have read several posts saying that you should put shims under the ends of the turnouts when using Atlas code 83 flex track. My question is, doesn't this cause the turnout to sag when the train runs over it? (They say the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.) I really like the looks of the Walthers turnouts but don't like the price of the flex track. I was thinking of using Atlas code 83 turnouts but I read that they don't hold up well under use.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Stan
Reply
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 11:27 PM
I was going to use Walthers switches with Atlas flex - and the "shimming" issue is why I didn't.
I would think you would shim the entire turnout, to prevent the sagging problem you talk about.
I haven't tried it yet, but I bought Micro Engineering flex instead of the much-more-expensive Walthers/Shinohara stuff. I actually prefer the look of the ME stuff - the ties weren't as glossy as the Walthers stuff.
Just an opinion.
Rob
Reply
Edit
tomwatkins
Member since
December 2002
From: US
736 posts
Posted by
tomwatkins
on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 6:58 AM
I use Atlas code 83 flextrack and the Walthers code 83 turnouts. The Walthers ties are thicker than the Walthers ties, creating and uneven transition between the two. I've found that a shim made of .020 styrene the length of the ties and wide enough to fit under two of them smooths the tranition nicely. I slip them into position after the track and turnout joint is soldered and fasten them under the two end ties on the turnout. A drop of ACC at each end holds them in place well. I've not found it necessary to shim the entire turnout but shimming the transition does help.
Have Fun,
Tom Watkins
Reply
nfmisso
Member since
December 2001
From: San Jose, California
3,154 posts
Posted by
nfmisso
on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 11:44 AM
Stan;
There is a .017" difference in tie thickness. Get some .015" sheet stock, cut it to the shape of the turnout but a bit smaller, use double stick tape (the extra .002") to attach it to the bottom of the turnout. Then just use it like any other piece of track.
Alternatively, you could shave .017" off the bottom of the Altas flex......
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
Reply
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Users Online
Jackflash
see all »
Search the Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up