I purchased a new Peco SL-E88 switch. When I laid it on an Atlas 284 #6, all rails matched perfectly.
1arfarf3 Code 100. SL-E88. Right Hand Turnout. Streamline. The diverging route matched perfectly when laying #284 on printed copy. On the prinout, the straight portion is shown as 10.20". In laying a ruler on the printout, it is 10.20" so it did print to scale. All rails on #284 are on the Peco rails. Would like to send photos but not sure how or if its even allowed.
Code 100. SL-E88. Right Hand Turnout. Streamline.
The diverging route matched perfectly when laying #284 on printed copy. On the prinout, the straight portion is shown as 10.20". In laying a ruler on the printout, it is 10.20" so it did print to scale. All rails on #284 are on the Peco rails.
Would like to send photos but not sure how or if its even allowed.
I do believe the PECO turnout has a total diverging route angle of 12 degrees, the Atlas #6 has a diverging route angle of 9.5 degrees. This minor difference may not be visable with your paper templates, but will have effects in laying smooth trackwork.
The diverging route on the Atlas turnout is straight thru the frog and after the frog at 9.5 degrees from the straight route. All of the curve is before the frog, which is how real turnouts are here in North America.
The PECO turnout is a continious curve thru the frog.
No matter how close they look, the geometry of the two is not the same.
Sheldon
See the sticky post in the general section. You just need somewhere to host the picture. I just put mine on my personal web space, I don't even bother with those photo hosting services.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Something I haven't mentioned, but the Atlas 83 #4's, at least all of the ones I've bought over the last 15 years or so, aren't straight at all - they ALL have a jog in the straight side stock rail. Doesn't ever seem to cause a problem with any locos or rolling stock, but sighting down the track, it looks terrible. The #6 does not have this issue, perfectly straight.
I haven't gotten any Atlas turnouts since the Great Turnout SHortage and moving of the factory, so I don't know if they corrected this in the newer production or not.
1arfarf3 I was able to get the templates for the small, medium, and large radius switches. They printed to scale. Small 7.3", medium 8.64", and large 10.20". I then laid an Atlas "284" switch which is a #6 over each template. The Atlas was a perfect fit on the large radius for frog and diverging route. The straight through route was 2" longer at 12.20".
I was able to get the templates for the small, medium, and large radius switches. They printed to scale. Small 7.3", medium 8.64", and large 10.20".
I then laid an Atlas "284" switch which is a #6 over each template. The Atlas was a perfect fit on the large radius for frog and diverging route. The straight through route was 2" longer at 12.20".
Did you print the code 83 line or the code 100 line? They are not the same.
No matter what it may seem like on paper, the code 100 line does not really match the Atlas product at all.
Atlas Custom Line turnouts are straight thru the frog and after the frog. PECO code 100 turnouts are curved thru the frog.
The length of the straight portion is of no importance.
One note regarding Peco code 100 turnouts.... all 3 sizes (Sm Med Lg ) divert at a 12 degree angle thus allowing you to intermix them in the case of a crossover configuration (if need be) their 24 degree "X" plus 4 turnouts make a double crossover
DoughlessJim, as you know but as a point of clarity, Peco labels turnouts using frog #s, and they also label a different type of turnout using the terms Small, Medium, and Large. The geometery between the two types of turnouts are different, so they keep the labeling terms separate.
Uh huh.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761Keep in mind that turnout number some label Peco code 100 turnouts is their own label and not how Peco labels them. In fact those labels are likely bogus, or inaccurate. As Byron noted, code 100 Peco are small, medium and large. I am using only large in my staging yard because I want all longer equipment to operate smoothly through them. I see Peco code 100 large labeled #8 on Ebay. This is incorrect. Here in this photo I took of some of my own turnouts a year ago, demonstrates how the Peco Code 100 large compares to some US type turnouts. It most closely approximates a #7, just about in the middle of a US code #6 and #8. So if you read Ebay labels or vendors labeling Peco code 100 turnouts with a turn out #, don't believe them. They are most likely incorrect.
Jim, as you know but as a point of clarity, Peco labels turnouts using frog #s, and they also label a different type of turnout using the terms Small, Medium, and Large. The geometery between the two types of turnouts are different, so they keep the labeling terms separate.
The small, medium, and large turnouts have more curved closure rails and curve beyond the frog. With these turnouts, its this radius of the diverging route that is the important restriction for operations. As you mentioned, the Peco Large (radius) turnout is a good choice for long equipment.
The Peco numbered turnouts refer to the traditional frog number, and have more traditional geometry (like Atlas) where there is less curve in the closure rail and more straight track as it approaches the frog, and stays straight beyond the frog. This is very apparent in the Atlas turnout in your pic. Here, the frog number provides a clue as to the sharpness of the diverging angle, because radius isn't really the goal when buying a turnout like this.
You make a good point, dealers on ebay or elsewhere may not know the difference when advertising the Peco turnouts, and might simply call a Large Radius turnout a #8. And in most applications, it probably may not matter. But there is a distinction between geometry and purpose between the two so much so that Peco chooses to label them differently.
- Douglas
riogrande5761
Thanks for the great comparison! I’ll keep that picture handy. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Keep in mind that turnout number some label Peco code 100 turnouts is their own label and not how Peco labels them. In fact those labels are likely bogus, or inaccurate. As Byron noted, code 100 Peco are small, medium and large.
I am using only large in my staging yard because I want all longer equipment to operate smoothly through them.
I see Peco code 100 large labeled #8 on Ebay. This is incorrect. Here in this photo I took of some of my own turnouts a year ago, demonstrates how the Peco Code 100 large compares to some US type turnouts. It most closely approximates a #7, just about in the middle of a US code #6 and #8. So if you read Ebay labels or vendors labeling Peco code 100 turnouts with a turn out #, don't believe them. They are most likely incorrect.
Since no turnout fits into a curve exactly, what if I made that table 7' instead of 6' and used a medium radius turnout at 3 1/2', would I still be able to complete the 32" radius off each end of turnout?
Or keep table at 6' and place turnout at 3' and still be ok with completing 32" radius?
1arfarf3Ebay listings vary in switch descriptions. Some use the #5, #6, #7, #8, etc as is used for Atlas and others. Then others list descriptionshow as small radius, medium radius, large radius, etc. Im trying to figure out what radius's are as compared to #5, #6, etc.
PECO Code 83 is a newer product line that has traditional straight diverging legs and is properly referred to as #5, #6, #8, etc.
PECO Code 100 has always been designated Small, Medium, Large by the manufacturer. Same for Code 75. If you wanted rough equivalents, "Small" is about equivalent to a #4½, "Medium" about a #5½ to a #6, and "Large" close to a #8. But because of the curved diverging leg, the Code 75/100 won't fit exactly where a straight-diverging-leg turnout would fit – and vice-versa.
[And as you probably know, no turnout fits into a circular curve exactly, not even "curved" turnouts (because of the lead and frog). Even Atlas Snap-Switches have a short straight section before the frog.]
Note also that many people list things incorrectly on eBay.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Ebay listings vary in switch descriptions. Some use the #5, #6, #7, #8, etc as is used for Atlas and others. Then others list descriptionshow as small radius, medium radius, large radius, etc. Im trying to figure out what radius's are as compared to #5, #6, etc.
Is one of the descriptions a new product line? And if so which one?
The correct designation (PECO's own for C100) is Small, Medium, Large. All have a roughly #4½ frog and curved diverging legs of about 24", 36", and 60" radius, respectively.
Some folks incorrectly number them 4, 6, etc.
Byron
This may help -
https://peco-uk.com/collections/track
I know some numbers mean the number in a pack.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Peco HO code 100's are listed as a number i.e. 6, 7, 8, etc and as small, medium, large radius.
Is the numbering or radius the newest product line? If radius, what are the radius's?