Peco N scale medium radius turnout question

[jaretos]

I am getting ready to lay track for an N scale switching layout and need some advice: it appears that I need to trim a tie or two on the turnout in order to use the rail joiners.  Has anyone done so and is there any method or caveat before I give it a try?  I have previously used Atlas; these guys are significanty more expensive so I don't want to screw up!

John

[mls1621]

Peco has slightly recessed the end ties to allow you to slip the rail joiner on without trimming.  If you look closely, you'll notice no tabs on the end ties to hold the rails in place.

The thing I don't like about the Peco turnouts is that they require you to trim the ends of the flex track ties on the frog rails to get them to fit.  If they'd extend the frog and stock rails another 1/4 inch that wouldn't be necessary.

They are very good turnouts.  One note of interest, when soldering the rail joiners to the rails off the frog, be quick.  If you linger too long with the soldering iron, the heat will loosen the rails in the plastic where they converge. (been there, done that, got the tee shirt)  However, if your using electrofrog instead of insulfrog turnouts, you can disregard the soldering note.  You'll be using insulated joiners at the frog rails.

[retsignalmtr]

if you are using the atlas joiners they can be a little tight but there is no reason to trim ties off the turnout. use peco rail joiners instead. they are smaller and are tight enough. they work with atlas code 80 flex track too.  do not solder the rail joiners to the turnout. aside from heat damage if you ever have to replace the turnout it will be easier to remove it. if you trim off some ties from the track section adjoining the turnout it will allow you to slide the joiner off the turnout easing replacement. on the other hand the atlas insulated rail joiners will not fit without trimming off some ties. again peco makes insulated rail joiners that fit without modifying anything