Any advantage to using the longer peco points

[Jeffro]

hi.
im very new to this and i currently have a 5ft x 3ft double loop running at the moment with dcc, im also using a couple of setrack st5 and st6 turnouts, without having done anything to them and all seems to be running ok.

i have space to increase my track to 10ft x 3ft and was wondering if i should use the peco sl395 and sl396 meduim radius insulfrog turnouts.  would there be any advantage of this as they a slightly longer and i have the space?

thanks in advance

[edwin_m]

They may look more realistic, though all kinds of model points are much smaller than real ones (have a look on Google Maps etc and compare the length of the points with the length of trains nearby).  This is especially important on a crossover, when if a passenger train went over anything like a scale Setrack point, anyone unfortunate enough to be stepping from one coach to the next would suffer a fairly grisly fate. 

Some types of train will also not run very well over the very small radius of the Setrack. 

[Jeffro]

Im looking at using modern diesel trains only.  and im using radius 2 and 3 curves.

[Sprintex]

They ... look more realistic,

That alone is good enough reason to use them if you have the space in my opinion 


Paul

[bluedepot]

i only use medium or large radius, just because they look better.

they don't allow as much track to be fitted into the same space though, so it's a trade off.

if you want to build a more realistic looking layout then switch over to medium. use the set track points in the fiddle yard or just sell them.

cheers

tim

[tgv_obsessed]

peco setrack points are 1st radius- 9 inch

the only thing i have that is iffy over them is my kato eurostar, then again i don't have any of the big big locos - diesel or steam - that a quick look through the forums,  here or elsewhere, that people have said struggle.

personally i have nothing against the way they look- then again i rather like things that look dinky

however

the other reason for change is the frog which is dead with setrack

in addition, the way things are going and bearing in mind that the rolling stock producers for UK outline don't make track (i'm sure i've seen a Minitrix boast that even their longest steamers will get through their 1st radius (7.7 inch) points and bends), keeping an eye away from peco setrack points might be a shrewd move in the long run

but i dont know

[Mustermark]

I have used medium or long points for all of my mainline. All are insulfrog and there are no probs with running my diesels.

These look better than the smaller ones, and if you have the space, i think the realism is worth it.  The running is also more realistic over the curves.

I have sidings in a smaller space where i need to use the shorter set track points to fit the sidings i want in the space, but i dont plan on running anything in there.

So, i guess as you have the space, i would use the medium ones especially where trains would run over the curves.

[Chinahand]

Using the longer points will certainly make the track 'flow' better but, as you're using DCC, I would suggest you go for Electrofrog points as they will give better electrical contact and DCC signal, particularly for short wheelbase shunters etc.