Since Atlas and Peco turnouts are hard to come by now are ME code 55 turnouts any good?
I can't speak for n gauge, as I am HO, but I use ME exclusively and believe it to be the best on the market. The rail, spike heads, accessories, all are very close to accurate scale. My only complaint is the need to file the point rails on almost every turnout, sometimes even having to do some bending to get a tight fit.
A few years ago I built an N scale layout on a door. I bought samples of Atlas and ME code 55 turnouts.
I went with the ME turnouts. I like the spring loaded mechanism so you don't need turnout controls. I just use my finger. Also they are better looking. I used the Atlas I had bought in the yard.
After 5 years I'm happy with my choice.
CN Charlie
One of the issues with ME is that they only offer a #6 in N scale, so you don't have much variety to choose from. I would have used ME, but I needed/wanted #8's, a wye, etc. So I chose to purchase Fasttracks jigs, and now I can build my own, using ME rail to match up with my ME flex. After a few attempts, the turnouts turned out pretty good, and they actually perform better than commerically made ones. I'm not sure how many you are going to need, but 10 is about the break-even point when it comes to the cost of the tooling.
Scott
How far is the hole in the throw bar from the end of the turnout?