I am going to be using Shinohara Code 70 turnouts on my new layout with MRC Prodigy DCC. Has anyone had any problems using Shinohara turnouts with DCC as is or will they need to be modified? Thanks in advance for any input. Tom
There should be absolutely no problem using Shinohara turnouts with DCC -- Walthers turnouts are made by Shinohara. The only thing you have to watch out for is whether or not they have a "hot frog" that changes polarity according to which switch point is touching the stock rail. If the frog is not insulated, then both rails that diverge from the frog need to be insulated at their ends and you'll have to put separate power feeder wires to the rails beyond the frog.
I have used both older (non-DCC friendly) and new style Walthers/Shinohara DCC friendly turnouts. As long as you insulate the diverging rails on the old style, you shouldn't have short issues.
My understanding is that Shinohara's mainline business is so strong that their HO track is not being produced. This according to my LHS who claims he can't get the product from Walthers. If true, a shame. I really like their flext track.