Rough running through PECO 100 turnouts

[simon1966]

I have about 20 code 100 peco turnouts, (Medium and curved insulfrogs) they work fine electrically, the switch is very positive and reliable. My problem, though not a huge problem, is that I see an obvious dip as most of my rolling stock runs through the frog. I searched the archives of the forum and found several references to poor running through the frogs in PECO's but no offered solutions. Does anyone have a tried and tested way of improving this aspect of the turnout.

Thanks

[CBQ_Guy]

But did any derail?

My point is, that would be a problem, what you're concerned with isn't, in my opinion.

However, I have read about people who glue thin pieces of styrene sheet material in the frogs to give them a tighter tolerance, so this is something you may want to explore. Many of use in this area use Peco 100's with no problems whatsoever, we don't even really notice or fret about what you're asking about.

[Jetrock]

I have noticed some problems in this area--I use Peco Code 100 turnouts and am generally happy with them but I do notice some derailments, partially due to the tight radius of the turnouts. I have seen the sheet styrene solution posted for other turnout brands--it might be worth a try. I assume that the styrene should be applied to the guard opposite the railhead in order to make the space between the inner frog and the outer guard (someone correct my froggy terminology if I'm wrong) in order to bring it down to approved flangeway clearances...

[cacole]

We have close to 20 Peco code 100 turnouts on the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's HO-scale layout and have had a problem with only one of them. I don't know if it was a manufacturing flaw or what, but we had problems with freight car wheels catching on the tip of the frog and derailing. The wheels were all in gauge, but the turnout's black plastic guide rail that is supposed to guide the wheels through the frog was too far away from the outer rail. The solution was to glue a piece of clear plastic to the inside of the guide rail so the wheels got pulled away from the frog point as they went through it. The plastic I used was some that came in a new shirt collar. A very thin strip was cut the length of the guide rail and was glued in place with CA. We have had no problems since then.

[simon1966]

Thanks for the suggestions, I checked the gaps and yes they are a little on the wide size. By chance I have a new shirt, so I will try and modify one to see if I like the improvement. I appreciate the input.[:)]