Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Peco Turnouts, Cut Off Excess Wire, Or Not?

1864 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Peco Turnouts, Cut Off Excess Wire, Or Not?
Posted by cowman on Monday, February 26, 2024 7:47 PM

 I may use some Peco turnouts on my "Layout in Planning."  There are long, uncoated wires coming out of the bottom.  If I plan to use Caboose gound throws, should I cut those off close to the bottom, leave a short tail for the next owner to solder to or can I just coil them up and put them under the turnout, not touching each other?

There's an invisible hump between me and getting started on the benchwork.  I'm hoping that if I get some other aspects of the layout (like a track plan) visible to me, it will push me over the hump.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, February 26, 2024 7:51 PM

I do cut off the bare wire on my Peco turnouts (Unifrog double slips), but I do leave about a 2 inch tail for resale purposes.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 6:09 PM

Thank you.

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 7:08 PM

cowman
There's an invisible hump between me and getting started on the benchwork.

I did a bunch of benchwork and then hit the hump, I'm blaming my bad shoulder and worse shoulder replacement.  I am back on track after 2 years.  Pun intended.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, February 29, 2024 3:37 PM

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 29, 2024 4:10 PM

riogrande5761

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

 

I think the wire is only on the Unifrog. As long as a couple of inches are retained, the rest can be cut off.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Thursday, February 29, 2024 7:29 PM

Thanks for the additional information on the wires.

Sold my little layout before COVID and wasted all that time.  My bad!

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, March 1, 2024 7:25 AM

richhotrain
 
riogrande5761

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

 

 

I think the wire is only on the Unifrog. As long as a couple of inches are retained, the rest can be cut off.

 

Rich

 
I have quite a few Electrofrog turnouts from Peco in code 83 and they all have the wire to electrify the frog rails.  I plan to wire them with frog juicers.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, March 1, 2024 9:33 AM

riogrande5761

 

 
richhotrain
 
riogrande5761

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

 

 

I think the wire is only on the Unifrog. As long as a couple of inches are retained, the rest can be cut off.

 

Rich

 

 

 
I have quite a few Electrofrog turnouts from Peco in code 83 and they all have the wire to electrify the frog rails.  I plan to wire them with frog juicers.
 

ahh, thanks, Jim. Good to know.

Rich

Alton Junction

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!