Model Railroading > Peco VS Micro Engineering

How do Micro-Engineering switches compared to Peco switches?

Paul Boggs
Canton, GA

No comparison.  Every ME switch I have ever used has needed a full rebuild just to make usable.  They look great, operationally leave much to be desired.

new Walthers track works fantastic too.  

Walthers switches eventually failed from heavy use on my layout.  Peco or Atlas switches are my go to as I've had issues with every other brand.  ME track is awful as the tiny spikeheads pop out from the rail constantly when laying the track.  It was a nightmare so I tossed it and started over with Atlas Code 70 and 83.

sixaxlecentury Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No comparison.  Every ME switch I have ever used
> has needed a full rebuild just to make
> usable.  They look great, operationally leave
> much to be desired.
>
> new Walthers track works fantastic too.  

CO1309 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Walthers switches eventually failed from heavy use
> on my layout.  Peco or Atlas switches are my go
> to as I've had issues with every other brand.  ME
> track is awful as the tiny spikeheads pop out from
> the rail constantly when laying the track.  It
> was a nightmare so I tossed it and started over
> with Atlas Code 70 and 83.
>
> sixaxlecentury Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > No comparison.  Every ME switch I have ever
> used
> > has needed a full rebuild just to make
> > usable.  They look great, operationally leave
> > much to be desired.
> >
> > new Walthers track works fantastic too.  

The NEW ones, or old Shinohara ones? 

sixaxlecentury Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> No comparison.  Every ME switch I have ever used
> has needed a full rebuild just to make
> usable.  They look great, operationally leave
> much to be desired.
>
> new Walthers track works fantastic too.  

100% agree. I purchased 5 of the yard ladder system switches and was very disappointed. As was said they do look good but each required some sort of work to them in order to get them to work reliably. Either I use Peco or the bulk of my switches are Fast Tracks.

Posted from Android

Our previous layout was all Peco switches and Atlas flex. Absolutely bullet proof operations. No derailments. Got where we hated the Lionel sized ties at the throw rod location on the Pecos. This new layout is all Walthers 4 and 5 switches and Atlas flex. Absolutely no issues with operations!

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/23 11:01 by trainman.

I have since removed the couple of ME turnouts on my layout, Peco all the way. I do have another modeler in town that is all ME, 100%. He loves it and has not had any issues. 

Mike ONeill
Okahumpka, FL

ME looks far better then Peco. Peco is more reliable. New Walthers looks great and appears to be reliable also. At least to this point, Any new turnouts I purchase wil be Walthers.

I get along fine with ME and like the appearance.
However PECO has some geometry that fits well in or near curves and Walthers curved turnouts work well for me too.
I have never had a problem with the ME spike heads breaking out.
 

sixaxlecentury Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CO1309 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Walthers switches eventually failed from heavy
> use
> > on my layout.  Peco or Atlas switches are my
> go
> > to as I've had issues with every other brand. 
> ME
> > track is awful as the tiny spikeheads pop out
> from
> > the rail constantly when laying the track.  It
> > was a nightmare so I tossed it and started over
> > with Atlas Code 70 and 83.
> >
> > sixaxlecentury Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > No comparison.  Every ME switch I have ever
> > used
> > > has needed a full rebuild just to make
> > > usable.  They look great, operationally
> leave
> > > much to be desired.
> > >
> > > new Walthers track works fantastic too.  
>
> The NEW ones, or old Shinohara ones? 


Both actually, heavy locomotive mainline use eventually caused the switch rail to start leaning slightly and cause derailments.

Around 10 years ago I completed the 2nd half of my HO layout, using Central Valley switches & track. Had to replace every CV switch due to frog & points problems. Used ME switches on straight track and Shinohara (Walthers?) on curves. All are excellent. No derailments - ever - except where the fault was in the car or locomotive.

Thank you folks. You have given me the information I need to make a decision on which switch to use.

Paul Boggs
Canton, GA

Just the right amount of De-stressing. :)

railstiesballast Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I get along fine with ME and like the appearance.
> However PECO has some geometry that fits well in
> or near curves and Walthers curved turnouts work
> well for me too.
> I have never had a problem with the ME spike heads
> breaking out.
>