I'm finally at a point where I'm ready to start laying track on my layout. The bench work has been done for a month so this past weekend I printed out a full size version of my track plan from Atlas RTS 8.0 and layed it out on the bench work as a template. The layout is only 8x8 it wasn't a major task, took a couple of hours to complete on Friday night. This is the first time I had ever thought of doing this and it has made the work of actually laying the roadbed and track. Progress photos are on my site here.
My wife had given me a gift certificate to a LHS so I went to pick up the track, unfortunately their selection of Atlas code 55 was non existent and this is what I was planning on using. All they had were some #6 turnouts and my plan called for #5's. After some thought, I decided to go with code 80 as there was plenty of flex track in stock andI had a ton of code 80 left over from a previous project at home, although all sectional. Now came the question of turnouts. For Atlas code 80, all he had in stock was #6's and the classic snap switches, neither of which I wanted. I ended up settling on Peco medium radius turnouts, which I know are #4's, not quite what I wanted but I had a gift certificate and really had a need to lay track!
Let me tell you how happy I am with these turnouts. They are the insulfrog variety so I test ran my current locos through them before laying anything. My Atlas GP7, GP40-2's, Proto SD7, Model Power 2-6-0 and Spectrum (I think, so old can't remember) doodlebug all ran through them without issue, no stalling, whew! Even my Life-Like trainset quality GP38 ran without issue. I have no intention of using it on the layout regularly, but it was there so I tested it.
I think the thing I like about these turnouts the best in comparison to the Atlas I've always used is how the points are held in place no matter what position they are in, either the main or the diverging route. So for the remainder of track to be picked up, I'll stick with Atlas code 80 flex, but continue with the Peco turnouts.
Now I just need to pick up some of the Woodland Scenics 2% risers and start converting my locos to DCC. As much as I love my reliable Tech II 2400, I'm only wiring the layout for two power districts so no real blocks and I don't want to deal with cab wiring at all. I fell in love with DCC after converting my last HO layout to it and haven't looked back since.
Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.
You can do far worse than Peco turnouts. I have one and its great. I too have a lot of code 80 flex and sectional track left over from previous layouts. It's what I plan to use. I am seriously considering not using my old Atlas turnouts anymore and buying new Pecos. They're more expensive but not having anything to keep the rails in position that is the case with Atls turnouts could be a serious problem for my DCC locomotives should they derial.
Irv
corsair7 You can do far worse than Peco turnouts.
Yowsa! While I have moved on to Atlas/ME code 55 for the improved visual appearance, I have used the Peco stuff in the past and it is rock solid. And yes, the spring points is a nifty feature that eliminates the need for turnout throws. Jamie
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