After two decades of moving around for family and career, we are planning to buy a new house, and my better half has committed to a two car garage, turned over to me for hobby use. Planning for moving later in 2024.
So, I'm in the layout planning stage. Right now I have done around two dozen different notional layouts roughly in the 16x16 to 16x20 size, mostly looping 24" deep, with a pair of significant islands. There will be two moderate yards, and several town/industry areas (I'm a systems engineering professor by trade, so I am definitely planning for a focus on operations). The final design will be subject to the actual garage layout, but I think I'm in safe space tolerances for most two car spaces. (also planning to incorporate insulation, heat/cool, and humidity control - we live in Tidewater Virginia, so that's a must for a garage used for hobby activities)
I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but I have a layout theme in mind (late 40s, early 50s, focus on 4axle diesel for power, mostly 40'-50' rolling stock, three interchange points...).
One thing that I'm paying more attention to since my last layout (decades ago) is track, and especially turnouts. I plan to use motive units with keep-alives in them, which might open up options. Given all that, what are people's experience with Atlas custom line (code 83) turnouts?
Chuck
Chuck, for a very long time, I exclusively used Atlas Code 83 and Code 100 Custom Line turnouts. Both are excellent and, essentially, trouble free. I primarily use #6 and a few #8. I have never used #8 because I have always felt that they take up too much space, but those that use #8s really like them.
Another possibility is Peco which makes some pretty nice Code 83 turnouts. One advantage of the Peco turnout is that the point rails are spring loaded so you can use them without switch machines. You can remove the springs if you prefer switch machines.
Anither thing to keep in mind is that the Atlas Custom Line turnouts have isolated frogs. They are metal, so they can be powered. Peco makes several frog variations. The Insulfrog is plastic and isolated. The Electrofrog is metal and live, so gapping may be required. The newest variation is the Unifrog which combines the benefits of the Insulfrog and the Electrofrog.
One other issue is power routing. The Atlas turnouts are not power routing. The Peco turnouts are power routing.
Rich
Alton Junction
Welcome aboard!
I also model that era, in particular the 4-axle diesels. I'm pretty particular about good trackwork and good power distribution. Lately, I've gotten away from plastic frogs, preferring metal frogs that can be powered. I have found these precautions allow me to run all my diesels and even my 2-axle trolleys with normal decoders. I don’t need keep-alives for them.
I generally use Atlas flex-track and Walthers turnouts. I like Tortoise slow-motion machines, which let me power the frogs and still leave extra terminals for my signals.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks MisterBeasley, I appreciate the observations and insights. I will take a good look at Walther's turnouts.
ChuckProfessor_Train
I use Atlas code 83 turnouts and they are great. They work flawlessly with the Micro Engineering track. I like ME track b/c it maintains the curves whereas Atlas does not.