Hi,
I placed a switch question here last month and it is still receiving responses. I have summarized the negative input received on each manufacturer below. I can now more clearly state that my goal which is to buy a switch that is plug and play. In short, I want a switch that I can take out of the box and use without having to rework the switch. I’m not running track power. I will only run battery power.
The only switches that seem to meet that requirement based on the feedback are from Switch Crafters and USA. They were the only switches were I didn’t get a list of items that I would need to fix. Have I reached the correct conclusion in that Switch Crafters and USA make plug and play switches where the others make switches that require rework for reliable operation?
NEGATIVE COMMENTS:
Switch Crafters:
None
Aristo:
iniitial grinding out the frog to make it deeper
Aristo required some significant work to make them operate properly
sloppy at the checkgauge with the result that semi scale wheelsets derail on the diverging route
Aristo's are shoddy in comparison with LGB
I have Aristos but they leave a lot to be desired for the average folks
I have around 35 turnouts and most of them are Aristo. I have to work on them before they are installed, and continue to work on them all the time.
I had some aristo's and they were totaly junk
LGB:
LGB required some significant work to make them operate properly
sloppy at the checkgauge with the result that semi scale wheelsets derail on the diverging route
LGB's gargantuan flanges thick and deep have made their flangeway extra sloppy and a real pita to shim out tight.
the frog does not sit level with the railhead and wheel flanges
tend to ride up on their flanges through the switch because the flangeways in the frog are to shallow
USA:
No real negative comments
I placed a switch question here last month and it is still receiving responses. I have summarized the negative input received on each manufacturer below. I can now more clearly state that my goal which is to buy a switch that is plug and play. In short, I want a switch that I can take out of the box and use without having to rework the switch. I’m not running track power. I will only run battery power.
The only switches that seem to meet that requirement based on the feedback are from Switch Crafters and USA. They were the only switches were I didn’t get a list of items that I would need to fix. Have I reached the correct conclusion in that Switch Crafters and USA make plug and play switches where the others make switches that require rework for reliable operation?
NEGATIVE COMMENTS:
Switch Crafters:
None
Aristo:
iniitial grinding out the frog to make it deeper
Aristo required some significant work to make them operate properly
sloppy at the checkgauge with the result that semi scale wheelsets derail on the diverging route
Aristo's are shoddy in comparison with LGB
I have Aristos but they leave a lot to be desired for the average folks
I have around 35 turnouts and most of them are Aristo. I have to work on them before they are installed, and continue to work on them all the time.
I had some aristo's and they were totaly junk
LGB:
LGB required some significant work to make them operate properly
sloppy at the checkgauge with the result that semi scale wheelsets derail on the diverging route
LGB's gargantuan flanges thick and deep have made their flangeway extra sloppy and a real pita to shim out tight.
the frog does not sit level with the railhead and wheel flanges
tend to ride up on their flanges through the switch because the flangeways in the frog are to shallow
USA:
No real negative comments
