Before i started building my new layout, i bought a Walthers #6 and a Peco #6 for comparative purposes. Although they are both described as code 83, the walthers uses a slightly bigger rail section than Peco, just something to be aware of. I also found that with RMA standard RP25 wheel sets, there is a slight lateral drop of the wheel between the frog nose and the wing rails. This was less noticable with the Peco turnout.
In the end i used all Peco electrofrog with the springs removed and Tortoise machines.
tomnoy3 wrote: tortoises for main line and yards, hand throws for everything else
You probably don't want to use Peco turnouts with Tortoises. If you do, you need to remove the spring from the turnout. It will work if you do that, but it's an extra step.
I don't know about hand throws. I suspect that the spring would be a real plus here, because it holds the points solidly against the rails. You may not like the "snap-over" effect when operating the hand-throws, though.
I use Peco turnouts with the Peco twin-coil motors. I've been very happy with that combination. I'm also using Atlas turnouts with their twin-coils, and I have no technical problems with them. (I just hate the way they look.)
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
For a ready made #6 turnout - Walthers or Micro Engineering. If you want to test you skills try the CVT turnout kits. Lots of detail can be added to them for a more realistic look.
jktrains.
tortoises for main line and yards, hand throws for everything else
Atlas
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/