Southern Pacific Switching Layout

[FCIN]

Thanks Ed, I am probably just going to build the area around consolidated container for now, and then build the right leg of the layout later.

I now have enough money to get the turnouts, but Modeltrainstuff is sold out of insulfrog large radius right-hand turnouts, and they don't even list insulfrog large radius left-hand turnouts. I would go with electrofrog, but that's what my last turnouts were and I had alot of problems with them.

Should I just wait until they restock or should I go with medium turnouts?

Justin;
I was just looking at M. B. Klein's web site and see what you mean. Another hobby shop that I've ordered from quite a bit over the past few years is First Hobby http://www.firsthobby.com and they do show having the code 100 large radius insul-frog turnouts in stock for $20.89 each. You might try them. They have always promptly filled my orders, but some of their prices on locomotives, cars, etc. are higher then M. B. Klein. Go to their web site; select Trains, HO Scale, Track, then Peco and you'll see them listed.

If you want to go with the electro-frog, and you really want the longer turnouts, then you should be fine. As Reinhard said, if you have a problem with them, then we'll figure out a way to solve it. Just remember that you need insulated joints on the two rails coming from the frog. You'll also have to have power feeders to your track beyond the frog. If you go with the electro-frogs, you won't be able to do like me and just have one set of power feeders to operate the whole layout on a temporary basis.

I have a bunch of the medium radius Peco turnouts (both insul-frog and electro-frog) and they look and operate just fine. Using them would allow you to gain a little length on your track plan (8 5/8in vs 10 1/8in), so if that's all you can get right now, it would be something to consider. Even 60ft long cars look just fine going through the medium radius turnouts. I originally was using just the medium radius turnouts, but switched to the large radius turnouts, just for appearance more than anything.

Your other option would be to go with the code 83 track, but I know you'd be looking at a big price difference. $26.59 for a No. 6 insul-frog code 83 turnout vs $20.99 for the code 100 large radius turnout. And of course there is a fair price difference for the flex track too. Tough to be on a budget for such an expensive hobby. Student or Old Foggy Retiree like me; we have to watch our money.