FWIW, On my walk around wall mounted RR, about 80 of my 2 rail Atlas, Roco & Signature or 3 rail Ross turnouts have neither a motor, spring or hand throw. The points just float. Any wheel is able to correctly align the points when coming against closed points and a flick of the finger positions the routing as desired when approaching the tip of the points.
Following the trains, maneuvering around peninsulas and door ways is actually good exercise as opposed to sitting behind a control panel.
Either forward or backing, problems are extremely rare, I believe there may have been three derailments in the last few years. Curves are 60" & 72" radius and grades are about +/- 1%. My 3 rail Triplex threw a couple of tire treads but it did not seem to affect it's pulling power. I do run short trains usually about a dozen cars max. Short trains make my layout seem larger than it is.
For weight I use stick on automotive wheel balancing weights, I also have some thin sheets of lead which can be used on flat cars. Some used tank & hopper cars came preweighted with lead buck or OO glued inside the under frame channel.
There was one engine which would pick points with it's pilot wheel but GRJ diagnosed it as a collapsed broken pilot spring which failed to exert downward pressure in the rail head. GRJ replaced it with a new spring and it now runs flawlessly.
John is the man !
