rrinker cacole Isn't the difference in whether or not the turnout has roadbed and a motor already mounted on it? I know that the Custom Line turnouts do not have roadbed or motors, As to why products are never available from Walthers or other suppliers the answer is simple: Everything today comes from China or other Pacific Rim countries, and the importers advertise products months or even years ahead of actual production. Walthers track products are all actually made by Shinohara of Japan, but I don't think they are produced in Japan. Nope, the Super Track turnout is also plain, no roadbed, no motor. It does have the throwbar and headblock ties extending to both sides, so you can mount a switch stand on either side and cut off the unneeded one. You're thinking of True-Track, which has the track snapped to plastic roadbed. If you look at my old construction progress photos on my web site, the ones from 12/23/04 show a Super Track #6 turnout. As for the large tie plates, the latest Atlas code 83 sectional track certainly doesn't have giant tieplates and spikes. I used a couple pieces to make a test track and the spike heads are tiny. --Randy
cacole Isn't the difference in whether or not the turnout has roadbed and a motor already mounted on it? I know that the Custom Line turnouts do not have roadbed or motors, As to why products are never available from Walthers or other suppliers the answer is simple: Everything today comes from China or other Pacific Rim countries, and the importers advertise products months or even years ahead of actual production. Walthers track products are all actually made by Shinohara of Japan, but I don't think they are produced in Japan.
Isn't the difference in whether or not the turnout has roadbed and a motor already mounted on it? I know that the Custom Line turnouts do not have roadbed or motors,
As to why products are never available from Walthers or other suppliers the answer is simple: Everything today comes from China or other Pacific Rim countries, and the importers advertise products months or even years ahead of actual production. Walthers track products are all actually made by Shinohara of Japan, but I don't think they are produced in Japan.
Nope, the Super Track turnout is also plain, no roadbed, no motor. It does have the throwbar and headblock ties extending to both sides, so you can mount a switch stand on either side and cut off the unneeded one. You're thinking of True-Track, which has the track snapped to plastic roadbed.
If you look at my old construction progress photos on my web site, the ones from 12/23/04 show a Super Track #6 turnout.
As for the large tie plates, the latest Atlas code 83 sectional track certainly doesn't have giant tieplates and spikes. I used a couple pieces to make a test track and the spike heads are tiny.
--Randy
I'm using atlas flextrack, HUGE out of scale tie plates.
When I used Walthers code 83 track I generally found my LHS had everything in stock all the time, except of course for whichever piece I was looking for that day.
You might try Hiawatha Hobbies at: http://www.hiawathahobbies.com/Walthers-Code-83_c_656-1.html
It generally has pretty deep inventory and good prices and service. No interest here other than as a satisfied customer.
One quick note on the Atlas vs. Walthers #4 if you use them. I did my track planning based on the Walthers/Shinohara turnout dimensions, only to discover later that the Atlas turnouts are longer along the non-diverging route so there is a lot of cutting/filing to be done there if you're using them for a yard ladder (speaking from experience on this).
A word from the not-so-wise!
~rb
I had the same issues about 4 years ago. I decided to use atlas code 83 flex track, primarily because it is cheaper than micro engineering. I needed lots of turnouts and had decided to go with Walthers code 83 because they looked better and seemed a little higher quality. Walthers code 83 track is actually Shinohara track. Walthers is the exclusive distributer and sells it as their own. Shinohara has always has availability problems. You can ususally find the walthers turnout that you need if you look hard enough on line but you will probably pay full MSRP when they are out of stock at walthers. I needed lots of turnouts and didnt feel like scrounging so I ended up using atlas turnouts. I use mostly the #8. They look horrible in the package with a huge shiney frog but if you paint the non rail portions of the frog flat black they look decent. On my #6 atlas turnouts I run a small file across the frog which removed the black coating. Also, the frog is ususally a little high on the #6's so this helps lower it. So far the atlas turnouts have worked. If I were to do it again I would look very hard at the method Joe Fugate documented on his web site of using a CVT tie strip as a jig and using a fast tracks point and frog tool. It looks like it works great. If you dont need that many, like less than 20 or so, I'd take a hard look at building your own. I think turnouts are one of the real sore spots in the hobby. I dont think that there is a mass produced turnout that doesnt have significant problems and the higher end ones are so over priced considering the problems that they have. I have tried pecos and didnt think a lot of them. The insulfrogs have problems with shorting at the frog. They also all have stamped sheetmetal points like an atlas #6 or #4 (atlas #8 has a cast point). For a $20+ they souldnt have stamped sheet metal points.
I have used both Atlas and Walthers Code 83 in combination on my layout. I use Atlas as much as possible, and I am happy that Atlas now has #8 turnouts. One of the things I did not like about Wathers (other than the higher price) was they were not DCC friendly and I had to cut gaps in the turnouts. I have not tried the new Walthers DCC friendly turnouts.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
20%!! Whoa. Makes using one of the fast track kits more logical. Not cheap to buy the kit but the net cost per turnout is reasonable and you can do 8s, 10s, and 12s if you need (or just merely want it).
Concrete ties in switches is becoming increasingly common on heavily used mainlines, especialy where life expired stuff is renewed. This is becoming the norm in alot of countrys now, not only the US. Its dammed expensive but holds a good top and line for longer and generaly takes more punishment from heavy trains and lasts longer overall.
Going back to the first poster, have you considered Peco Code83??
This is mine albeit with Electrofrog but the Insulfrog looks very similar
My train store here in Cedar Park, Texas has plenty of Code 83 in stock, including curved. Not MY train store, but the one where I purchase train stuff.
larak loatharTurnouts in the real world generally have wood ties.Not concrete, Ah, but for every rule there are exceptions: West Shore Hudson River, Esopus Crossing August 2006 ... I guess I need to get a newer photo. The several mile long siding has been in use for two years. Wooden ties for much of it's length but concrete from the road crossing to the switch. (inflation.)
loatharTurnouts in the real world generally have wood ties.Not concrete,
Ah, but for every rule there are exceptions:
West Shore Hudson River, Esopus Crossing August 2006 ...
I guess I need to get a newer photo. The several mile long siding has been in use for two years. Wooden ties for much of it's length but concrete from the road crossing to the switch. (inflation.)
That's why I said generally. I think concrete turnouts are a fairly new practice. (I might be wrong)
The truth is, these are only used on heavy mainlines by BNSF and Union Pacific.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
loathar ns3010 demonwolf224why does atlas make code 83 flextrack with concrete ties when they don't even make turnouts with concrete ties? Thats exactly what ive been thinking Turnouts in the real world generally have wood ties.Not concrete, so it IS prototypical.
ns3010 demonwolf224why does atlas make code 83 flextrack with concrete ties when they don't even make turnouts with concrete ties? Thats exactly what ive been thinking
demonwolf224why does atlas make code 83 flextrack with concrete ties when they don't even make turnouts with concrete ties?
Thats exactly what ive been thinking
Turnouts in the real world generally have wood ties.Not concrete, so it IS prototypical.
Pick your prototype and era with care - they aren't the same, or even similar.
For my prototype, Atlas concrete-tie flex is perfect. I watched the JNR convert from jointed rail on wood ties to welded rail on concrete ties. The specialwork remained on wooden ties until I left Japan, years after the concrete conversion was finished on 'plain Jane' track.
I'm modeling a very specific phase of the transition. According to the Official History of Rail Operations in the Tomikawa Valley (an un-published and largely unwritten Japanese-language opus) concrete ties were installed under existing rail between Minamijima and Tomikawa between June and August of 1964. Welded rail has been laid along the right-of-way, and will be swapped into place on the first weekend in October. In the meantime, there are two wood ties under each pair of rail joints (the JNR has squared, rather than staggered, joints.) Replacement concrete ties are lying to the side of the ballast.
If you look at my signature, you'll know why that swap will never take place.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
loatharTurnouts in the real world generally have wood ties.Not concrete, so it IS prototypical.
Not necessarilary
http://www.lbfoster.com/uploadedImages/Asset_Images/Concrete_Ties_Turnout_Installation.gif
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Thanks for the info everyone. I was procrastinating on using Atlas but I think that is the route to go right now as Walthers can't seem to be relied on to have their stuff in stock.
bmvernil Does anyone know what the difference is between Atlas Code 83 Custom-Line and their Code 83 Super-Track Turnouts is? I have been all over the internet and can't seem to find an answer. Also, is anyone else frustrated with Walthers lack of having their Code 83 turnouts available? The are backordered for at least a couple to a few more months, on another forum someone has said they aren't expected to even have any until February. The hobby shops here in Arizona are completely out of Walthers but have plenty of Atlas products and can get them within a day or two if they run out. Which is why I am considering changing to Atlas. I would have gone Atlas in the first place but wasn't crazy about the black frog in their turnouts. However, I have seen how some of you have weathered those turnouts and it isn't even noticable. Anyhow, would appreciate any info... Thanks!!!!
Does anyone know what the difference is between Atlas Code 83 Custom-Line and their Code 83 Super-Track Turnouts is? I have been all over the internet and can't seem to find an answer.
Also, is anyone else frustrated with Walthers lack of having their Code 83 turnouts available? The are backordered for at least a couple to a few more months, on another forum someone has said they aren't expected to even have any until February. The hobby shops here in Arizona are completely out of Walthers but have plenty of Atlas products and can get them within a day or two if they run out. Which is why I am considering changing to Atlas. I would have gone Atlas in the first place but wasn't crazy about the black frog in their turnouts. However, I have seen how some of you have weathered those turnouts and it isn't even noticable. Anyhow, would appreciate any info...
Thanks!!!!
The throw bar on the Super Switches is a bit more heavy duty than on the Custom Lines.(along with the differences already mentioned.) They both work the same, but if your doing a yard ladder, I'd go with the Custom Lines because of the shorter diverging route.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I prefer Atlas track since I'm what you would call a "beginner." I dislike the fact that they have such large tie plates, but these can be trimed with a x-acto no. 17 blade. I plan on using there Super Track #6 with there flextrack with brown ties, while I'm thinking about this, why does atlas make code 83 flextrack with concrete ties when they don't even make turnouts with concrete ties? Sorry off topic.
The difference is in overall size. The Super Track #6 has the diverging rails extending the full lenth, same as the straight rails. The Custom-Line has the diverging rails cut off short so it fits the standard Atlas geometry.
Ive been wondering too about how walthers cant even keep some of their own products in stock...
I dont know anything about the turnouts, but ive been watching the walthers njt comet IIs for a year now and their still not in...