Ok, I know there will be as many answers to this as there are grains of sand, but here goes: First some background. I have a moderately sized HO layout, (approx 15 ft long and 8 ft wide in a sort of backwards "F" configuration), located in my garage. I live in North Carolina, so I know I'm dealing with humidity and am working on the dehumidifier thing. I am currently using all Atlas code 83 track and turnouts, none of which are smaller than #6 .
Here's my question. Can anyone give me an idea of a manufactured "trouble free" turnout, if such a thing exists? I clean the track and layout at least once a week, and rarely have issues with contact, but it seems to me that the flanges and guards on the turnouts are either angled wrong or out of gauge, (too tight). My Diesels have no problem with traveling through them, but most all my Steam has an issues with the lead truck riding up and over the rail at those points. The frustrating part is, the turnout that causes an issue this time, might not be the same one the next time, which leads me to believe it's a turnout thing. I have one turnout that I've modified by filing the plastic guard thinner and angled at the approach point, but I have nearly 40 turnouts and wondered if the was something more forgiving as opposed to filing, checking, filing, testing, pulling hair out, etc...
If nothing else, any advice on operating as trouble free as possible in a garage that is not climate controlled would also be helpful.
Basically, I'm looking for opinions on the most trouble free pre-made turnouts out there.
I've ordered the Track laying book from MRR, so I'm trying to feel things out before then.
Thanks a bunch,
I would solder the turnout, scratch build.
Or use the Fast Track equipment
or use turnouts from Cream City.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
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NYCfanI live in North Carolina, so I know I'm dealing with humidity and am working on the dehumidifier thing. I am currently using all Atlas code 83 track and turnouts, none of which are smaller than #6 .Here's my question. Can anyone give me an idea of a manufactured "trouble free" turnout, if such a thing exists? I clean the track and layout at least once a week, and rarely have issues with contact, but it seems to me that the flanges and guards on the turnouts are either angled wrong or out of gauge, (too tight). My Diesels have no problem with traveling through them, but most all my Steam has an issues with the lead truck riding up and over the rail at those points. The frustrating part is, the turnout that causes an issue this time, might not be the same one the next time, which leads me to believe it's a turnout thing. I have one turnout that I've modified by filing the plastic guard thinner and angled at the approach point, but I have nearly 40 turnouts and wondered if the was something more forgiving as opposed to filing, checking, filing, testing, pulling hair out, etc...If nothing else, any advice on operating as trouble free as possible in a garage that is not climate controlled would also be helpful.Basically, I'm looking for opinions on the most trouble free pre-made turnouts out there. I've ordered the Track laying book from MRR, so I'm trying to feel things out before then. Thanks a bunch,
I live in North Carolina, so I know I'm dealing with humidity and am working on the dehumidifier thing. I am currently using all Atlas code 83 track and turnouts, none of which are smaller than #6 .
My first responses:
hope this helps, and that some of your frustration goes away
Fred W
An experienced model railroading friend suggested www.proto87.com. They sell kit and pre-made turnouts, not all of which are proto87. Their website is vast. As an aside, I'd be interested in anyone's opinion of their products. Hope this helps, TIA, Ken
If it's just the steam pilot wheels, just make sure they are in gauge. (or a gauge that works for your turnouts.)I had a problem with 6 axle diesels derailing on a couple of Atlas #6's. Drove me crazy! Finally realized it was a couple pieces of out of gauge track that were 2-3' away from the turnouts that was really causing the problem. Just enough to lift a wheel on a curve and make it derail when it hit the turnout.
If everything is in gauge, you might try filing a notch in the stock rails for the points. And/or feather the points with a file.
I have no personal experience with them, but a number of people have reported Peco turnouts to be very good.
Enjoy
Paul
On my portable modules I use Peco code 100 turnouts that perform reliably after shimming the guard rails to NMRA specs. On my home layout I started using CVT code 70 and code 55 turnout kits. The frogs take the most time to get right but once done I don't even hear a wheel click when it goes through the frog.
My modules go through some very dramatic temperature and humidity changes in a 24 hour period. Painting bare wood and not soldering any rail joiners so rails can expand and contract helps some. We still get some odd things happen when we set up at shows.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
First and foremost, thanks to all who replied. I am usually able to get to the website every 2-3 days, so please don't think me to be ignoring your replies.
All my track, including turnouts, are within NMRA standards, (yes, I have a gauge), but, I hate to admit, I never checked the pilot wheels. Which actually makes sense since none of my diesels give me any trouble. This will be where I start.
I also never realized that I should have left a "free-floating" track connector. Since I have broken my track into blocks, I guess I could use my insulating joiners as my "give" points since they are on straight sections long before my turnouts. If not, I can always de-solder a joint and replace the joiners.
I also had anticipated, (based on past layout experience), the turnout approach track issues and gauged and laid my track to eliminate any problems.
In the future I will be hand-laying my turnouts, but for right now I'm using commercially built for ease of construction, so I really don't expect perfection.
For any who might be worried. Although things might frustrate me, being an Army Vet, I will always find a different approach until I succeed. What makes a forum like this so valuable, (at least to me), is the fact that anybody could have the answer. From the modeller who has built 500 layouts to the one that built one on paper pending a location. Regardless, I still have fun.
I will be trying those things that I haven't tried yet, and will be back in a couple of days, hopefully with a success story. If not, then with more questions.
Thanks again,