Just tuned in. Am surprised that nobody has mentioned O Scale Turnouts brand switches. I just installed two code 148 #8 switches in place of Atlas O #7.5's.
IMO they look better and perform better. And Caboose Industries HO spring loaded ground throws work with them really well and are much closer to scale than the O scale ground throws that work well with Atlas O #5' and #7.5. And the O Scale Turnouts have Lou Cross components throughout. And the code 148 versions mate well with Atlas O 2 rail flextrack which is also code 148.
I am gradually replacing all of my Atlas O switches with these,
Just do an internets search on O Scale Turnouts for all the details.
Bill
Austin Bill,
I agree with no disrespect to anyone or any other O Scale track company,that the O Scale Turnouts brand switches are TOPS in looks! My problem is I'm starting from the ground up & planning 40 switches minimum as I have a 50'x25' area. The cost here is holding me down. If like you,you're replacing over time,that's easier on the finances. But the prices just keep going up.
Also,I have a shelf 37" from the floor that I'm going to use for 1 yard & it has 2'x4' support columns that are spaced 30" apart. A #5 will allow access sidings out of the 30" if placed correctly on #2 main,but O Scale turnouts at this writing only make #6 minimum which may not allow access through my distances of 30" supports.(?)
My shelf area will allow 5 tracks,2 mainlines & 3 yard tracks. I can squeeze in 4 switches on the ladder in the yard with #5s but could I do that with #6s? My ladder has 1 left hand coming off #1 mainline,which connects to 2 #5 righthands&a#5 left. The turnout leg of the left is connected to the straight leg of the last #5 right.
Sometimes I think a crossover to each track arrangement would be better though making the yard tracks somewhat shorter from 1 end of the yard to the other.
2rail DC Atlas 80-40cs,(not sure if I got those numbers right), will be handling through freight & unit grain trains as I can't get any GPs from any company in CSX right now,plus switching chores for now. With all wheel pickup,why do switches have to be wired? I'm a novice here coming from 38 years of RTR switches in HO,so I honestly don't understand,I'm learning now.
Thank you Bill & everyone else who has helpful comments to add on this conversation.
Al Hummel
