Hi, i will be purchasing about 40 turnouts of various ##, i was just wondering what you guy's would suggest i go with Atlas,Peco ect.. I have been using the Atlas snap switches but i am not to happy with them, i am mostly running K4 locomotives for my layout, i have DCC. Thanks for any input. Bear.
I too had some problems with Atlas Snap switches. When I asked about them I got several responses saying they are often out of guage. Sure enough, most of mine had some spot out. Four asle diesels did OK, but leading trucks on steam didn't Their #'d switches don't seem to have such a reputation. I have a couple of Pecos, but haven't gotten them installed yet. Some folks have strong preferences, others seem to think most quality brand name switches are OK. Different brands have different #'d switches, some have curved turnouts, so you may end up with a mix, just to match your needs. There are cost differences too, as I am sure you are aware.
One thing you want to remember is that Peco switches are sprung (have a spring in them to hold them tightly in position). Atlas does not, thus needs either a switch machine or sprung ground throw to hold them in position. I don't know about the other brands.
Good luck,
There are also the Micro Engineering turnouts which enjoy a good reputation. I would guess the newest Atlas Customline turnouts are good. I use Peco Code 83 Insulfrog #6 turnouts. I like them. I could do without the blade-like points rails, but I can overlook that visual defect in view of their overall excellence.
I use Fast Tracks handlaid #8 turnouts on the main. I also have several curved Walthers/Shinohara #7.5 turnouts and one of their curved #8's. They are okay, although some of my rolling stock seem to rock at times through the frog on the W/S turnouts.
Ideally, you would buy perhaps a single turnout from each of three manufacturers and trial them. You are sure to quickly figure out which ones you like, and then place your order.
-Crandell
A lot of different brands of turnouts are good, but I have always used Atlas Custom-Line turnouts, both Code 100 and Code 83.
I have over 50 #6 and #4 turnouts on my layout and I have never experienced a problem with any of them.
Rich
Alton Junction
When I started on my present minus one layout, I purchased Atlas and Peco turnouts to test - I am a firm believer in testing things on temporary track before committing to using them. I had used Shinohara (Walthers) turnouts and was familiar with their issues.
After testing, I consigned the commercial turnouts to the, "Things that didn't work," file. My short wheelbase power pickups (0-6-0 teakettles, EMU and DMU cars...) weren't happy with the insulated frogs and less than wonderful on the not-quite-perfect flangeway width. Plus, I have yet to see a bent switch tie in real-world practice. I beat a strategic retreat to my previously-prepared alternative, which was and is to hand-lay all specialwork.
Joe Fugate (Siskiyou Lines) built his railroad with commercial products. When they started to fail, he hand-laid the replacements.
Hand-laying ordinary turnouts isn't difficult. Neither, once you've learned the techniques, is hand-laying a puzzle palace passenger terminal throat. All that you need is a large flat file, spiking pliers, a soldering tool of adequate capacity, patience and a willingness to reject any part that doesn't approach perfection. By working with an NMRA gauge in one hand and two three-point gauges riding the rail you're spiking into place you can assure yourself that all flangeways have the correct dimensions, that there are no kinks or abrupt changes in curvature and that there are no spots where the gauge is too wide or too tight. Best of all, you don't have to compromise your desired track plan to conform to some commercial fabricator's choice of dimensions.
Admittedly, hand laying specialwork and integrating it with commercial flex track takes time - but so does 'tweaking' commercial products. But the real difference is cost. For the money you'll save rolling your own, 40 turnouts will allow you to add at least one loco to your roster.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on hand-laid specialwork)
T hank's that sounds like a good idea, when i am forking out that kind of cash, it could not hurt, what's the worst that could happen rite? i will have a left over switch.