Peco 83 Line Turnouts...

[mbshaw]

I have decided to use Peco's new Code 83 Line for my layout.

Was wondering if anyone has had any experience using the 83 Line. Was also wondering if anyone could tell me what would be better to use, either the insulfrog or electrofrog turnouts for a DCC system.

Thanks,

[cacole]

I have Peco code 83 Insulfrog turnouts. What, specifically, do you want to know? Except for the throwbar mechanism, they're no different than code 100 Insulfrog turnouts if you've ever used any of them. It doesn't matter whether you use Insulfrog or Electrofrog with DCC as long as your insulate them properly.

[mbshaw]

Cacole,

I wasn't too sure if one was better over the other. I know they are both DCC compatiable but wanted to make sure there wasn't a glaring issue with one over the other. I did a little reading on the issue at www.wiringfordcc.com but it didn't really say which would be better out the "box".

[Anonymous]

Hi,

My 'empire' continues to evolve....

Rev1 - Atlas t/o's and snap switches.

Based on *that* experience I tried Peco 83 with their microswitches in order to power the Electrofrog that experience now told me would be required for smooth operation.....

Then I decided to go with a couple of curved t/o's - This time from Walthers, and I'm not powering the frog......

I am still planning on using a Peco or two, but haven't yet looked at what I need to do to modify my Electrofrogs to insulfrogs (I'm not at the layout right now, so can't check.)

In other words, I really like the Pecos, but would go insulfrog if I was to do it again.

Finally, I am driving the t/o's with tortoise motors - The only way to go IMCO - You should remove the spring, but if you want any 'aux outputs' and therefore need the Peco microswitch the cost is not too different if you go tortoise route......

My 2c,
YMMV,

Cheers,
Ian

[cacole]

Either one will work just fine provided you properly insulate them. I always put insulated rail joiners on both rails that diverge from the frog, and then put separate feeder wires to the rail beyone the frog. The frog is the only part that is likely to cause any problem because it changes polarity according to which way the turnout is thrown, so isolating the frog from the rest of the track solves that problem.