I’m having somewhat of a problem with the design of my yard layout. More specifically, the ladders at each end. For space reasons I want to use a compound ladder setup rather than a simple ladder. The problem is when I position my N scale medium radius Peco turnouts for that setup the turnout mechanisms contact each other. I can use a small (aprox. 1”) spacer with the inside ties cut off, but this setup adds more possibility of derailment with the extra joints. It also adds the hassle of adding more ties under each joint to hide the gaps. Another option would be to trim off the side of the turnout mechanism. Has anyone ever tried to trim off the side of a Peco turnout before and did the turnout still work normally? I think this option would be the best plan if the turnout still works but I don’t want to test my experiment and potentially destroy a rather expensive turnout if someone else has done this before with unsatisfactory results. Any ideas? Brian
Brian, Put another short section in each leg of the 1st turnout. The tie ends should interlace with each other. If not, you can trim a small amount off each piece of track rather than modify your turnouts. Unfortunately, the turnouts you are using were not designed to be placed in the configuration you are attempting without inserting a short section of track as you have done. Even the prototype switches have this short section of track because It helps to align the couplers as the cars are backed through the turnouts. Avoiding the "S" curve effect is considered more important than the cost of real estate for a larger yard. Jerry
Brian, Jerry is right about spacing the turnouts further apart. Your top picture really shows that you'd have to trim a lot to get the bottom turnout to be on a straight line with the lead in track. Having said that, there is no reason the throw bar cannot be trimmed on the side opposite where you intend to attach your throw. I haven't seen Pecos but imagine they will operate fine this way. You should not start trimming the ties on the turnout adjacent to the throw. They've been doubled together for a reason. Short pieces of track are what you need. They have the added advantage of spacing the yard tracks a little further apart.
Thanks guys. Yah' I kind of figured the extra small pieces of track would be the only viable answer. Kind of a pain in the caboose but necessary. Since Peco trunouts are spring loaded I won't be needing any ground thows so that de-clutters the ladder area a bit. Brian
You can trim you turnouts as much as you want. Here you see an old H0 Peco turnout. I removed even the spring device because I use a push pull rod. You see how I wired the stock rails and points for better contact. I used thin copper wire from relays. Wolfgang
