Need advice on HO turnouts

[Anonymous]

The issue of holding the points tightly against the stock rails can be solved either by using switches with a spring loaded points (Peco and Micro Engineering) that will snap in place and stay or by using stalling switch motors that hold the points firmly (Switchmaster and Tortise). Caboose industries makes ground throws that when properly installed will also hold the points tight. When using the stall motors with Peco or Microengineering, one can remove the springs from the points for smoother operation.

I agree with the idea of using the largest switch possible for the space. My layout has a minimum of no. 6 everywhere. I find that I rarely use anything bigger becuse space is at such a premium of model railroads....

[ericboone]

Avoid Atlas. The stamped switch rails are fragile and don't look very nice. Also, a club I was in had problems with the metal Atlas frogs being higher than the rails. A lot of filing fixed the problem as it was easier than replacing in place turnouts.

[johncolley]

Use the largest ones you have room for, for the neatest appearance and most trouble free operation, especially imprtant if you are using modern equipment such as big diesels and 85-90 foot cars, and passenger equipment. I use #10's for all mainline crossovers, A/D tracks and passing sidings. I use #8's in the yard except for #6 on oil/sand service tracks and industrial spurs. For a forked track on an industry site I might use an occasional #4.

[Meyblc]

I have read several different opinions here about which turnouts to use and which one's are best. I don't want to fuel the fire so I'll just tell you about my experiences thus far and you can go from there......

Last year I laid track on my new 14' x 8' HO layout. It consisted of 27 different turnouts ranging from #6's, #4's and a few Wye's. Price was an issue at the time and I decided to purchase Atlas Code 83 all the way. Hindsight is 20/20, but I wish I hadn't.

What I found is that the Atlas turnouts are ok. They work as advertised. The problem I've found with them though is that the "snap" switch motor that Altas makes is barely strong enough to move the points. It DOES NOT hold the points against the rail. I have experienced numerous derailments due to this.

I have recently started replacing my Atlas turnouts with the new Peco code 83 turnouts. The difference is like night from day. As it has alrready been mentioned here, the points on the Peco turnouts are spring loaded. This has all but solved my derailment problems.

It has also been mentioned here that the price of the new Peco turnouts are in the $30 price point each. This may be true in the local area where the writter is from but my experience has been different. I ordered a couple from Tony's trains (along with several decoders) and each turnout cost around $22 each. Yesterday I went to a hobby store in Spencer, NC and was able to purchase 6 more Peco code 83 turnouts for $24 each. The point is if you look around, you won't pay $30 for each of these.

[Anonymous]

I have always used Atlas Customline Mark 3 turnouts and am using them again on my new layout. Mostly #6"s, even in the yards. I have 1 # 4 going to a Industry. I also have a couple of Peco curved turnouts and I use DCC with no problems at all.

I have always had good luck with the Atlas Mark 3"s as far as use go and still do. I think for the money, you can't beat them!

My 2 cents, DONNNN and good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Trainnut1250! Very usefull info!

[Anonymous]

Dimastep,

Don't forget Micro Engineering. They make great looking and operating swtiches that are DCC friendly. They also have a metal frog.

Switches in general (My own skewed opinions):

Peco's New code 83 look great, have metal frogs (electrofrog version) and operate well. My main complaint is grossly oversized throwbar ties....

Walthers Shinohara: Operate well (not as well as Peco, in my book, but well enough that I have them on my layout and they don't give me problems) They have frogs that are rails joined together, so I guess you would say they are metal. These use oversize throwbars and the tie detail is a bit heavy in places. The points are attached to throwbar with oversize rivets that are noticeable. You will probably have to use some of these because these guys are the only widely distributed makers of curved switches and some wyes. Older Shinohara use grossly oversize ties and spike detail.

Atlas Customline: I have some but don't use them because I think the detail is not up to par with other brands. They have a solder lug on the frog the is noticeable and the point rails have a metal plate under each one where they join the fixed rails.....The frog is cast metal (or stamped) and is oversize. Probably my bias is showing a bit here, I think they would work and could be made to look good, I just don't like em'.....Older Atlas are not worth considering if you want an even semi-realistic looking railroad.

Mico Engineering: I think these switches look the best far and away. Both in detail and in railhead shape and size. The throwbar is not oversize and they give you some castings and parts to build a switch stand with each switch. They operate very relaibly. Frogs are cast metal.

Railway Engineering and B. K. Enterprises: The are closer to handlaying than the other switches discussed. I have used the type that are assembled and you spike on ties that you glue down. They look good and operate very well. Much more work than the others. I messed up the first one I did and had to relay it. Metal frogs.

Central Valley switch kits: Didn't like the points arrangement on these and thus didn't use them. They look great, points seemed flimsy....frog is metal rails joined together.

I'm sure that most of the brands will look quite good when ballasted and weathered/painted. I'm just throwing out my observations. I went out and bought one of almost everything to try and make a decision based mainly on looks and operation.

One can find deals on most of these brands. The Peco are listing quite high at around $30.00 (discount $22.00) each for a number 6, code 83 in HO. Other brands are a bit cheaper for the same swtich and can be had in the $10-15 discounted price range....

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by A train

Atlas custom Line and Walther's don't run in the same price range. At lease not here in New York . Atlas is under $15 and Walther's is over $30/per piece. Peco is somewhere in between the 2. I would go with Peco because the fangs box have springs in the and make the fangs hold tighter. I bought a double-slip turnout from Walther's, The ties look realistic and good. But My opion is it's cheap quality. It had fell on the floor 2 day's after I bought it and on the left side of the swich, the whole thing fell apart. ***, A $55 double slip down the drain. I can fix it, but I said screw it. I still have it and may use it for decoration.
Get Peco. You get what you pay for..............................and it's DCC freindly

I see... Peco is twice the money of Walthers though :( And their code 83 is still rare.

Anyone else had negative experience with Walthers Shinohara turnouts?

[Anonymous]

Atlas custom Line and Walther's don't run in the same price range. At lease not here in New York . Atlas is under $15 and Walther's is over $30/per piece. Peco is somewhere in between the 2. I would go with Peco because the fangs box have springs in the and make the fangs hold tighter. I bought a double-slip turnout from Walther's, The ties look realistic and good. But My opion is it's cheap quality. It had fell on the floor 2 day's after I bought it and on the left side of the swich, the whole thing fell apart. ***, A $55 double slip down the drain. I can fix it, but I said screw it. I still have it and may use it for decoration.
Get Peco. You get what you pay for..............................and it's DCC freindly

[Anonymous]

Well, I guess Walthers it is. If only they had them in stock :)

[mcouvillion]

dimastep,

My preference is Shinohara/Walther's because the point rails are made from rail, not a stamped piece of metal like so many other turnouts. I installed Peco Code 100 Electrofrog turnouts on our club layout and they have performed well. I don't have any experience with the more expensive Atlas turnouts or other comparable brands. The cheaper Atlas turnouts are not for the serious modeler.

Mark C.

[simon1966]

There is also the new line of Peco code 83 made to US prototype in an electrofrog version. I used peco code 100 insulffogs and an very happy with the quality and particularly like the center spring.

[Anonymous]

I remember reading somewhere that the Walthers TOs where made by Shinora.. I have a couple of Walthers 3-ways and Atlas #6 Custom Line that have metal frogs. They are both reliable, but as has been my experience whith any thing store bought, check them out thoroughly before installing.

[Anonymous]

Mostly I am concerned about their quality i.e. which one is less likely to cause derailments.

Also just want to confirm from you guys if Atlas Custom Line and new Walthers DCC-friendly turnouts indeed HAVE metal frogs?

[firechief811]

I use the Atlas custom line and my good buddy has started to use the Wathers turnouts. I recently bought some new Atlas code 83 brown ties custom line turn outs to make my yard out of. I am very happy with them. I used them over the walthers turnouts only because they were cheeper. I think the walthers do look a little better but after I got my Atlas switches laid and balasted I loved them. I think you will be happy with either one. I don't have any experience with DCC..so as far as what might happen there I can't be of much help there.

[Anonymous]

I am looking for DCC-friendly turnouts that have metal frog. So far I've found Atlas Custom Line and Walthers Shinohara. They cost about the same.

I am building a new large layout so will need quite a bit of them.
Which one is better?