What brand makes the best turnouts?

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U

UPRRfan

Member
I was just wondering what the best brand of turnouts are? Because i will be building a layout soon so I would like to replace all my old turnouts with nice, new turnouts. I also want some with realistic ground throws or something. Any thoughts?
 
I've heard good things about some other brands but I don't have personal experience with them. The best that I've used are Atlas custom-line. Avoid the little Atlas Snap Switches. They're really too tight for anything bigger than a short geep.
 
I'm in agreement with Jeffrey. The Customline, while not being a top of the line compared in looks to some others, it will still give good service. There are better looking switches at a higher cost. I guess what i boils down to is looks and what you can afford to part with Just my opinion
Cheers
Willis
 


I've heard good things about Peco but I've never used their turnouts, just pieces of track I picked up here and there. I'm not going to comment on something I haven't used.
 
Motley said:
I believe Peco is one of the best. I have 24 of them on my layout, and they work flawlessly.
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Are they easy to wire up? Because I heard that they don't have insulated frogs or something?

P.s. How do you think the track plan is? I'm ready to start building! Haha
 


Peco sells Electrofrogs and Insulfrogs. What you want (and I have) is the Insulfrogs. Easy to install, plug and play. Just be careful when installing them, they have a tiny spring, that keeps the frog against the rails in place. I damaged a couple of switches by using a file to get the solder of the rails, and the spring popped out and lost the spring.

Yes the layout plan is good to go. So go for it!
 
Motley said:
Peco sells Electrofrogs and Insulfrogs. What you want (and I have) is the Insulfrogs. Easy to install, plug and play. Just be careful when installing them, they have a tiny spring, that keeps the frog against the rails in place. I damaged a couple of switches by using a file to get the solder of the rails, and the spring popped out and lost the spring.

Yes the layout plan is good to go. So go for it!
Click to expand...
Yaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D haha I'm gonna start tomorrow!! And thanks for all your help!!!! I'll start a new thread about my progress!
 
Motley said:
Peco sells Electrofrogs and Insulfrogs. What you want (and I have) is the Insulfrogs. Easy to install, plug and play. Just be careful when installing them, they have a tiny spring, that keeps the frog against the rails in place. I damaged a couple of switches by using a file to get the solder of the rails, and the spring popped out and lost the spring.

Yes the layout plan is good to go. So go for it!
Click to expand...
Did you buy your turnouts off the internet? And if so what is the link? And also I was just wondering what the difference is between the Electrofrogs and the Insulfrogs?
 
UPRRfan said:
Did you buy your turnouts off the internet? And if so what is the link? And also I was just wondering what the difference is between the Electrofrogs and the Insulfrogs?
Click to expand...

The Electrofrogs are used to power the frog, you have to cut the frog rails and insulate them. The Insulfrogs are ready to go, no need to cut the frog rails.

Get code 83 for both flex track and switches.

I usually buy them at my LHS. But you can also buy them here:
http://www.cchobbies.com/track/pecocode83.htm

Also one more thing. Get the Atlas Universal code 83/100 joiners. Those are the only joiners I use, because they are easy to use and install.

I found that Walthers, Peco, and other rail joiners are way too difficult to install. These don't slip on the rails easily, and are a pain to install.

Solder all your joints.
 
Motley said:
The Electrofrogs are used to power the frog, you have to cut the frog rails and insulate them. The Insulfrogs are ready to go, no need to cut the frog rails.

Get code 83 for both flex track and switches.

I usually buy them at my LHS. But you can also buy them here:
http://www.cchobbies.com/track/pecocode83.htm

Also one more thing. Get the Atlas Universal code 83/100 joiners. Those are the only joiners I use, because they are easy to use and install.

I found that Walthers, Peco, and other rail joiners are way too difficult to install. These don't slip on the rails easily, and are a pain to install.

Solder all your joints.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestions! Now can I use Caboose Industries ground throws with the Peco turnouts?
 
Turnouts

I use Peco turnouts exclusively. Make sure you buy the SL insulfrog turnouts and not the ST turnouts, or the Electrofrog turnouts, better quality. The ST turnouts are lower end turnouts for set-track layouts.

Caboos Industries switch machines work well with Peco turnouts.

If buying online, Yankeedabbler has a great sale on right now, especially if you enter their site through the Advertiser's window over at the Model Railroad Hobbiest Magazine site. The turnouts are about $3.00 cheaper that route.

Hope this helps.

Roy
 
Roy Buchanan said:
I use Peco turnouts exclusively. Make sure you buy the SL insulfrog turnouts and not the ST turnouts, or the Electrofrog turnouts, better quality. The ST turnouts are lower end turnouts for set-track layouts.

Caboos Industries switch machines work well with Peco turnouts.

If buying online, Yankeedabbler has a great sale on right now, especially if you enter their site through the Advertiser's window over at the Model Railroad Hobbiest Magazine site. The turnouts are about $3.00 cheaper that route.

Hope this helps.

Roy
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Thanks for your help! What does the ST stand for though?
 
Peco

ST stand for set track and SL stands for streamline. The difference is like the difference between a 1980's Chrysler K car and a 2000's Chrysler 300.
the radii of ST turnouts is also tighter.

Roy
 
If you don't mind putting your own ties on, I would go with Railway Engineering. Actually I think you can order them with ties.

Been using them for years. Takes a while to get them because they're handmade, but they are worth it. No wheel drop and durability is what I like.

I use Pecos in places that can not be seen, but they tend to be to a tad frail for my liking.
 


zoegraf said:
If you don't mind putting your own ties on, I would go with Railway Engineering. Actually I think you can order them with ties.

Been using them for years. Takes a while to get them because they're handmade, but they are worth it. No wheel drop and durability is what I like.

I use Pecos in places that can not be seen, but they tend to be to a tad frail for my liking.
Click to expand...

how much do they cost?
 
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