I was trying to weigh my options between ordering the Fast Tracks stuff and making my own turnouts, and getting commercial ones. Because of the small number of turnouts I'd need right now, I couldn't justify the expense of the Fast Tracks stuff when I could get a better-detailed commercial turnout for the same cost per unit. I had considered CV turnout kits, but stumbled upon these as well:
http://www.proto87stores.com/p87stores/frtrck.htm#SWITCH%20KITS
These are some handsome-looking turnouts. They cost about the same as a CV kit, plus they come with the rail. I was thinking about getting a few of the standard HO code 83 kits. Just wondering if anybody out there has used this brand before and has any comments on the quality/reliability of them.
Also, other than the special cast-metal points, what is the difference between the "craftsman" and "ready to assemble" kits? Of course, I could just call or e-mail the company, but I just thought I'd ask you all first.
Dan Stokes
My other car is a tunnel motor
I have not used them but they look nice. Use caution that you order the proper turnout. They offer regular HO turnouts, and their own Proto 87 (P:87) turnouts. P:87 turnouts will not allow regular HO wheelsets to roll through them.
In other words, make sure you order the regular HO switch kits.
Good luck,
Scott
Those ARE the Central Valley kits. They just include a better frog in these. The CV kits have a small plastic frog.
These metal frogs look real nice. IIRC, these frogs alone are $8-$10/each. I wouldn't recommend the CV stuff unless your layout is going to be in a climate controlled area. They don't take well to extreme temperature changes. Other than that, they look and work GREAT!
Thanks for the responses, guys. I do realize the difference between Proto: 87 and regular HO. I was looking at the regular HO kits. I did not realize these were the same as the CV kits.
My layout is sectional and semi-portable, so I can't say for sure if it will be in a climate controlled environment forever or not. I think I might get a couple of these kits just to try them out and see how they work out. I've got a lot of other stuff on "the list" for the immediate future, though, so if and when I do get them, I'll report back about how it goes with them.