Hello,
My track laying is stuttering, latest problem being the staggering different turnout/points options.
I bought and originally had small ST5 but soon realised they are awful for reliable running of all locos.
I've found the big turnout st388/9 are reliable but recently found there are medium turnouts too. There's a bit of a space saving to be had but are they reliable in use. The small ones kept derailing my loco so I assume bigger is better but are medium suitable?
Thank you, Kevin
I've yet to find anything that doesn't like Peco's medium radius points. If anything things run smoother through them than the large radius as the wheel is better supported as it travels over the frog.
Electro-frogs (or Uni-frogs) should also give you more reliable running compared to insul-frgs.
Steven B.
I've over 100 items of motive power from many differing manufacturers and they all pass through Peco code 55 small points with no issue.
My Kato DD51 won't go over small radius Peco points. Funnily enough, it doesn't mind Kato small radius points. It's the middle bogie that's causes the problems.
@pgtips (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=8541) the Setrack ST5/6 points really shouldn't be causing derailments unless maybe it's a particularly long loco which just doesn't like 9" radius anyway (and would have the same problems on 9" curves).
I've had ST points in my fiddleyards since the mid 90s, no problems at all, but I am running Continental N which tends not have some of the problems certain current British N models may have with tight radius.
Peco code 80 medium radius points and large radius points are equally reliable in my experience, though to be honest I moved over to the code 55 trackwork back in 90s, for all my scenic trackwork.
Thank you everyone, I feel confident to order some medium turn outs @Steven B (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3063) I'm looking forward to seeing if that's the case for me as well, be great if it is :-).
I did look into electrofrog but I'm not really experiencing any problems there although I fully understand why it exists and how much it provides additional continuity to the loco wheels at slower speed.
For me it was just a constant frustration at my little loco becoming derailed on the smaller points.
Thank you again for replies
Quote from: pgtips on July 15, 2020, 11:14:53 AM
My track laying is stuttering, latest problem being the staggering different turnout/points options.
Many would say that there aren't enough variants readily available to reflect the variety in the real world...
As a rule though, always use the largest you have space for (that goes for curves as well). Even the largest are tight by prototype standards...
Quote from: Newportnobby on July 15, 2020, 12:50:00 PM
I've over 100 items of motive power from many differing manufacturers and they all pass through Peco code 55 small points with no issue.
Don't forget Mick, A c55 small is near enough the same footprint as a c80 Medium. ;)
Quote from: PLD on July 15, 2020, 05:26:58 PM
Quote from: Newportnobby on July 15, 2020, 12:50:00 PM
I've over 100 items of motive power from many differing manufacturers and they all pass through Peco code 55 small points with no issue.
Don't forget Mick, A c55 small is near enough the same footprint as a c80 Medium. ;)
But we N gaugers know every mm counts, Paul ;)