For me there is nothing to like watching a passenger train or long freight passing through a #8 turnout at an increased speed on the main line of my railroad. It almost looks real, especially when you get right down at track level and watch it pass you by.
Most of my turnout are #8's but I have one that seems to cause a malfunctiion with certain engines, they stall on the frog. It is just one turnout and it bugs me. I also noticed that over time the code 83 #8 switches become a little flimmsy after a while and the points began to loosen up, not as steady and tight as they were when first installed.
I did not want to crawl under the table and add electronics and drill more holes to install juicers and what have you to electrify the frog. Some engines passed right through, no stalling, others would just stop dead in their tracks.
Hanging on the wall I had a brand new code 100, #6 right hand turnout that could fill the bill.
This is the switch, right under this passenger train.
So I instructed the work crews to remove the #8 turnout, fit the #6 in its place, bevel the track ends to match up with the code 83 tracks, using the Dremel tool. Once the #6 turnout was in place I made sure the points were tight, sanded the frog until it was nice and shiny, made sure the track connections were level and tight. One thing I did notice right off is that the #6 code 100 turnout was sturdy, no loose points and actually better built.
I then ran engines that did not stall and they passed right through the turnout. I did have to level the switch a little with shims and it worked. Then I ran engines that stalled on the frog of the #8, and this time there was not a sputter, each engine ran through the turnout and frog without a problem.
So by simply changing the turnout and making a compromise I now have a smooth operating turnout that works really great.
Thanks,
Robert Sylvester
Newberry-Columbia Line, SC
Sounds like a good compromise to me.
Have fun,
Richard