Shinohara cd 70 Turnouts

[Anonymous]

I've been out of the HO loop for several years. I am leaning heavily toward a return to HO with DCC in mind, but need to get up to speed on how turnouts have evolved as well as their availability.

On my previous layouts, I used cd 70 track and turnouts.

For this new effort I'm considering, I envision using #6+ turnouts on the mainline as well as considering using cd 83 thereon. In the small yard/industrial trackage, it would be cd 70 with #4's preferred.

I see that Walthers turnouts are available in #4, but only in cd 83. (The #6 cd 83 would be okay for my mainline, but not desired in the yard/industrial track.)

I see that Micro Engineering turnouts are available in either cd 83 or 70, but only #6, so the same no-go for the yard/industrial track on account of no #4's.

Is the Shinohara cd 70 line of turnouts/crossings still available? If so, where is a good source for purchasing? Have they modified the line to be DCC friendly?

Amazing the changes within HO in 4-6 years!

Thanks for any input.

Andre

[wp8thsub]

As far as I know the code 70 products are still available under the Shinohara name, and the code 83 part of the line is sold under the Walthers name. Some of the code 83 stuff has been released in DCC-friendly versions, but I haven't noticed the regular Shinohara turnouts being problematic with DCC. One of the layouts I work on locally has a lot of the old design Shinohara/Walthers turnouts and the owner runs a variety of equipment with DCC, from four-axle diesels to 4-6-6-4 Challengers, with no ill effects. Try a search on Walthers' website for "Shinohara" http://www.walthers.com .

[Anonymous]

> Try a search on Walthers' website for "Shinohara"

Well, DUH. Don't I feel dumb.

My excuse: I'm not used to hitting a web version of the Walthers HO catalog yet! (Lame, I know.)

Thanks.

Andre

[davekelly]

Andre,

If I had a buck for everytime I said "DUH" I'd have a stable full of custom made brass steamers!!

Dave

[wp8thsub]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Coonskin
Well, DUH. Don't I feel dumb.

Hey, we all can't remember every instance of who distributes what. I lose track of the "DUH" moments I have in a given day. Besides, shouldn't what happens on the MR forum STAY on the MR forum (like those Vegas ads)?