Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Hello Snowey, Peco offers two types of N scale turnouts -- the ElectroFrog and the InsulFrog. The ElectroFrog style, or "selective" turnout, has a "live frog" that routes power only to the normal or diverging route, depending on which way the points are thrown. Make sure to power these turnouts from the point end. This type of turnout can be made to be DCC compatible with a little extra effort. The diverging rails past the frog need to be insulated from the frog to prevent short circuits, such as occurs when wiring a passing siding. Insulated rail joiners or cutting a gap in the rails with a cuttign disk in a motor tool will do the job nicely. Peco's InsulFrog is much more DCC friendly right out of the box. Peco's term "InsulFrog" means the frog, which is made of plastic, doesn't conduct electricity and route power, so the frog's polarity isn't affected by which way the points are thrown. Both routes, normal and diverging, are live. In my experience, most brands of turnouts can be DCC compatible; it depends on how much effort you want to expend. Cutting a few gaps with a motor tool cutting disk is no big deal. But it's more convenient for some modelers to have DCC compatibility right out of the box. Hope this helps, Paul Schmidt Contributing Editor Trains.com
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community