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Peco Code83 turnout American style General discussion
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Super User 7,338 posts Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos
Has anyone out there used Peco code 83 US style turnouts? Why I ask is I would like to know how RP25 110 wheels go through the frogs - any wheel drop issues?
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Toniwryan Frequent poster 502 posts
Toniwryan

My N scale

My N scale Peco 80 turnouts work just fine with the Intermountain wheelsets I have.

Toni

 

Toni
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,956 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Dear Deem, Check my "Chicago

Dear Deem, Check my "Chicago Fork" layout in the Sept MRH, PECO Code 83 #5 turnout and track, plug n play reliable operation of factory stock Atlas, Athearn, MDC, and Bachmann locos, and cars from the above mentioned brands, plus proto2k, Kadee, and other metal RP25-110 wheelsets. Given that PECO is far more available down here then virtually all of the popular US options, the Code 83 option is popular here with US outline modellers, and I've yet to hear any single bad operation report. Proceed with confidence,... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr
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Nate Niell Regular poster 134 posts
Nate Niell

Peco Code 83

My layout is a mixture of Walthers/Shinohara and Peco. I love the Peco turnouts. The are the most reliable, and after experimenting with both the Insulfrogs and Electrofrogs, I've used the code 83 Electrofrogs exclusively since. And yes, I use DCC. I wire up each turnout as it's own block and they're the most reliable turnouts on the layout, both mechanically and electrically. I plan on using them exclusively when I eventually build my dream layout.
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Selector Regular poster 427 posts
Selector

Except for a few hand laid

Except for a few hand laid turnouts of the Fast Tracks variety, which are #8's intended for the main where speeds warrant them, all of my turnouts, whether main line or yard, are Peco Code 83 #6 insulfrog variety.  I love those things!

-Crandell
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

So far, sounds promising.On

So far, sounds promising. On my old HO layout, I used Peco code 75 turnouts in places they could not be seen to save me time from making turnouts. I recall no wheel drop in most of them, but some did and I think it might have been due to worn out frogs. Though I model a branch line in the late fifties, I have started a collection of rolling stock and motive power appropriate for the era of 1974 for nostalgic reasons. I'd like to display them and run them on a narrow switching layout mounted on the wall and I think code 83 would be appropriate for rail in Canada in the early seventies; I hope.
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Nate Niell Regular poster 134 posts
Nate Niell

Code 83

I think code 83 is a good balance between looks and reliability. On my last HO layout I used code 70 and code 55(!) and while it looked nice, it was difficult to get that bulletproof reliability that I wanted. I've used code 83 throughout and once it's weathered and ballasted it looks fine and operates much better.
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Would you have any pics or

Would you have any pics or links to share Nate of your ballasted and weathered Pecos?
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

I noticed Peco also makes

I noticed Peco also makes code 83 flex track US style, but can't find on the net a short small angle crossing US style in code 83; only a code 75 euro style.
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Nate Niell Regular poster 134 posts
Nate Niell

Well...

I'm on my phone right now, but at the bottom of this blog post there's a picture that shows the code 83 flex track weathered and ballasted. model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/15200
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

I can't find that pic Nate...

I can't find that pic Nate...
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

I found these old code 75

I found these old code 75 Peco turnouts, which I won't be using.

How do I determine what size no. they are. The one on the top I recall was ok for running my 2-8-2 through it, but not the bottom one. I don't want to get a Peco code 83 US style turnout that would be smaller or have a smaller radius than the one on the top.

IMG_5302.jpg 

Also here are some of the models I mentioned earlier that are appropriate for circa 1974 that I want to display on this narrow shelf switching layout.

_0011(4).jpg 

IMG_0020.jpg 

IMG_0415.jpg 

IMG_1735.jpg 

IMG_1751.jpg 

_3415(1).jpg 

_3475(1).jpg 

 
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,956 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Looks like a "small" and a "medium" Code 75 turnout...

Dear Deem,

Please recall that all PECO (known as "Streamline" series)
except the new Code 83 "US Geometry" do not use numbered frog angles (a la " #5 ").

Rather, they use a common frog angle on all turnouts,
and simply lengthen the distance between the tip of the switchrails and the frog "point" to make "longer/smoother" turnouts. This bit of subterfuge agrees with the BRMSB spec (UK equivalent of NMRA),

and allows both "small", "medium", and "large" turnouts in a range to match with the 1 common diamond-crossing piece (IE no need to manufacture different angle diamond crossings to match the various "sizes" of turnout).

Based on your pics and known PECO geometry info, I think you have a code 75 RH "medium" and a Code 75 RH "small" turnout there. Strongly reccomend downloading and comparing the freely-available PECO track turnout template PDFs

http://www.peco-uk.com/page.asp?id=pointplans

Specifically

Code 75
http://www.peco-uk.com/page.asp?id=tempc75

Code 83 "US Geometry"
http://www.peco-uk.com/page.asp?id=tempc83

(In both cases, click on the part # links to get the PDF template for that turnout/crossover)

Hope this helps...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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CarterM999 Regular poster 419 posts
CarterM999

Peco is it

I have used Atlas and MicroEng. I had a very bad experience with Micro and never will again.  Atlas is ok but Peco has that little spring to close and keep tight the points to the rails. A bit more money but worth it. Bought most of mine used off Ebay.

 "HO" TRAINS ARE MY LIFE...AND "N" AND "AMERICAN FLYER" AND "LIONEL" AND EBAY.

WITHOUT CLOSETS, MODEL MANUFACTURERS WOULD NEVER BE PROFITABLE.

CARTERM999
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Thanks for the links and info

Thanks for the links and info Prof Klyzir. When I get home I'll print these templates up to compare.
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

CarterM999, I always have

CarterM999, I always have been detered from purchasing ME turnouts because whenever I see one, the frog isn't flush in height with the rails; looks like the wheels would bump up onto the frog. Have you ever noticed any wheel drop in Peco's frogs with RP 25 110 wheels? I must confess that I'm overly picky when it comes to wheels droping in frogs.
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wp8thsub MRH Author 3,348 posts
wp8thsub

ME Frogs

Quote:

I always have been detered from purchasing ME turnouts because whenever I see one, the frog isn't flush in height with the rails; looks like the wheels would bump up onto the frog...

I must confess that I'm overly picky when it comes to wheels droping in frogs.

I have numerous Micro Engineering turnouts in service.  As part of standard tune-up I use a straightedge to check frogs, and a mill file to render them flush if need be.  Some of my examples have required filing, others not.  Once the frog is flush with the adjacent rails it will perform very smoothly.  If you're interested in trying one, don't let a minute or two of tune-up scare you off.  You might like 'em.

Rob Spangler MRH Blog
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Nate Niell Regular poster 134 posts
Nate Niell

Deemiorgos...

I remembered that I was going to show you a picture of the Peco 83 flex track weathered and ballasted.  I weathered the ties and painted the tie plates before putting the ballast down.IMG_2489.JPG 

And a view from the side:

IMG_2487.JPG 
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Looks good Nate. Have you

Looks good Nate. Have you ever had any issues with wheel drop through the frogs?
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Worth a try Rob. Will look

Worth a try Rob. Will look into getting one; perhaps even a used one at an upcoming hobby show to experiment with.
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Well as much as I like the

Well as much as I like the code 83 peco turnout and flex track, I won't be able to use it because to my dismay, after doing some research, the area I model still uses 100 lb rail to this day. Code 70 or less would be appropriate; damn! modeling Canadian railroads can be challenging at times.
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JLandT Railroad Super User 2,492 posts
JLandT Railroad

Check out some of my track work...

Because it is all Peco Code 83 Flextrack and 95% Peco Code 83 Turnouts, I seriously doubt you are going to notice the difference between Code 83, 75 or 100. As everyone has stated they are virtually bulletproof and I have not had one issue yet with either my insulfrog or electrofrog turnouts or the flextrack. http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/14921 Cheers, Jas...

[014_1%281%29]

Web Blog: JLandT Railroad - BlogSpot
Facebook:  Jas Miller
Complete MRH Blog Index: JLandT Railroad - Complete Blog Index
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fernpoint MRH Contrib. Editor 1,931 posts
fernpoint

Peco is good

I use Code 83 (electrofrog) and have zero issues.

Care Point - I have used Peco Code 75 in the past and had problems with wheel drop on a Mantua 2-6-6-2. The same loco runs fine on Code 83.
If you are inclined, making your own (Fast Tracks in my case)  turnouts results in excellent running. I  used this approach for some curved turnouts not available in the Peco Code 83 range.

Rob

Cornhill & Atherton RR.
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,949 posts
ctxmf74

"Code 70 or less would be appropriate"

Micro engineering makes some nice code 70 flextrack. You could either use their #6 turnouts or just use their flextrack and build your own turnouts with kits from CVT or Proto 87 store. Personally I'd use code 83 Atlas instead and not worry about the size difference, once everything is ballasted and weathered you'll forget all about it......DaveB

1990.jpg 
Read my blog
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duckdogger Super User 808 posts
duckdogger

Model railroad store display railroad

Using Peco code 83 with ME code 83 flex and no problems. Using the Peco rail joiners so a little filing is required for the ME rail to fit easily.
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