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I need some advice for my new layout. I am planning a 2 X 8 layout. I am using 3/4" birch plywood fro sub roadbed and 1/4" lauan plywood. I am following as closely as possible the NMRA standards for HO modules. I am using the 9” inch straight sections to bridge the modules.
I am struggling very hard with something that is supposed to be a hobby. I am struggling with turnouts and the selection thereof. If one stays with the NMRA guidelines, then we have to stay with Code 100 turnouts which limit us to basically to Atlas and Peco. Micro-Engineering or Walthers does not make Code 100 turnouts. Does one break the NMRA laws and use Code 83 to provide more selection opportunities. David Barrow alluded in his domino construction articles that Code 83 had vertical deflections and did not use anything but Atlas Code 100 turnouts.
My turnout concerns are durability and operational dependability as I make my selection for my layout. I am a very young newbie in the hobby and I need to get moving out of this armchair situation as a modeler. Please advise me as to whether I should maintain Code 100 NMRA standards or break the law and get a Code 83 or even a Code 70 turnout that is going to fit the priorities of operational dependability and durability. I would appreciate all of you who are more experienced in this hobby help this new modeler in selecting a turnout for his new layout. PLEASE HELP!
First of all, you should look at the NMRA standards as a GUIDELINE and not Gospel. After all, it is YOUR railroad and you can do it any way you want. If you are going to mate up your module with others that are not yours, check with the owners of the others and see what they are using.
All good brands of track are of good quality. If you are young, and this is your first layout, it is going to be a learning experience and you will make mistakes. Too many folks try to save track and turnouts for another layout after their first one. You will find that track and turnouts, once they have been ballasted down good should be expendable and are kind of hard to save.
So, I would recommend buying inexpensive, on your first layout at least. That means Atlas. Even though Atlas is inexpensive, it does work good. Code 100 is over size rail for HO, but before code 83, it was the best around. I am building my main line with code 83 and using Atlas turnouts, and Atlas & Peco flex track, whichever is cheaper where I can find it cheaper. I am doing my yard in code 70 and using Peco turnouts and Micro Engineering track.
I am using Tortoise switch machines for remote ones and Caboose Industries for hand operated ones. The Tortoise machine is a good one and will last a lifetime and can be re-used from layout to layout, and with all brands of turnouts. And they are easy to install, are easy on the turnout, and have a very positive throw with good tension.
Do get an NMRA track gauge, and use it. Check all your track work and turnouts as you put them in. Correct problems right when you find them. Don't put off fixing track problems or your layout will be plagued with them.
Hope this gets you started off right.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.