NEW Walthers Turnouts: How Have They Improved? (259) 

Man Walthers thought of everything designing these. I like the idea about the pilot holes for nails, makes us people who don't use nails happy, makes the people who use nails happy.

"..........and just like that, the Micro Engineering turnout was obsolete............" (which could not be found anyway). Another thing; one of my new Walthers #5 turnouts was assembled incorrectly and was defective. I spoke with Walthers about this and they said they were completely sold out - as was the dealer I bought mine from. I "patched up" the defective turnout and it seemed to work, although it was rather fragile at the repair. Much to my surprise a brand new #5 arrived two months later. I was very pleased at what Walthers did for me in that situation. They didn't forget me. They must be a really great company. Thanks for the fine review, Larry.

Kudos to Walthers to investing in, and updating their turnouts. The continuous point blades look really nice!

These look like the turnouts I've wanted for my layouts for the last 60 years! They are beautifully thought out!

Concur, best turnouts available. One note of warning - while the #4 looks like it is a drop-in replacement for an Atlas #4, the geometry is slightly different. It is not a problem in most cases, but in a tight situation like a yard there will be issues. Still, definitely worth the cost to upgrade, and I am a cheap SOB. (Note that Walthers has full size diagrams of the switches that you can print out and see if they will fit where you want. The differences between the Atlas and Walthers switches were too small to notice when I did this.)

Thank you for this video! I am starting my first layout and this was the most helpful video I have found about a review/opinion on model railroad track

Thanks for sharing.....hopefully we'll see these in code 70 also.

Walthers did a great job upgrading these turnouts.

Interesting segment. I just rebuilt a couple of Shinohara turnouts I had. Walthers did make some very fine improvements! Thanks for sharing!

I like the new Walthers turnouts. They work great for me. Only had one become unsoldered at points and was easy fix! 👍

SUPER HELPFUL - THANKS!

Great update..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance

Larry, Nice Video. I've replaced several of my older Walthers turnouts as well as the Atlas brand and one thing I noticed is that there are very small holes through the ties and (tie plates) in several places on each side of the rails and I've used "track spikes" instead of track nails. Not sure if this was intended but to me it looks more realistic using track spikes instead of track nalls.(#6 turnouts have 8 set of holes, one on each side of the rails for a total of 16 anchor points.)

Thank you for sharing. A very nice-looking turnout.

Nice work on the helix looks great!

Larry, I'm fairly new to your site but really enjoy your commentary. You seem quite objective regarding different brands and you are detailed in your explanations. Thanks

These look to be the best points out there in model rr world, their double crossover is also very nice.

Some have had issues with the M.E. ones. So this looks to be a very promising product line 🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

Support, made in USA!

7:10 - That's "digital" control!

Larry yes I really like these turnouts, much better than the new Peco unifrog, I will using these on my new layout, hope to build a helix to my new yard , great video

thanks and great news

Great review! A couple other changes I see. The point rails on the new turnout are thinner than typical code 83 rail. Obviously this is what allowed the nice bending ability. It's still an aesthetic improvement to my eyes. The plastic point slide is a bit different. This isn't germane unless you're replacing old Walthers with new Walthers and depended on something that's changed. You didn't mention length or diverge angle, but they're likely not an exact replacement for any of the Peco #5 units. Side note - Some I know won't nail or glue down a turnout. The reason the give is it can create twisting & undulations in the unit that can affect function. Caulking with or w/o weighting them down can also bend the unit if the base/roadbed isn't level or the weight isn't evenly applied. Some cite that the ballast & adjacent track will hold turnouts just right w/o any other attachment. Thanks!

Excellent new Turnout, looks just the Ticket, Thanks for the Critique Larry, by the way in the UK on the P. Way we used to call the Track in front of the Switch Blades the Forearms, what do the call them in North America?

Excellent video as always Larry. These new Walthers turnouts do look very well engineered and as you said a very well thought out package overall. I'm a bit vague on why retaining the over-centre springs on them might damage a Tortoise or other point motor? Sure I can see it would make the changeover happen suddenly in a most unrealistic way (as the old solenoid motor approach did) , but damage the motor?

Just re-watched this video as purchased some of the #4's for my yard. Quick question as I intend to use these just using the built in spring switch - if I use the Tam Valley Dual Frog juicer can I wire up some dwarf signals/LED's to these turnouts using the the LED outputs from the Dual Frog juicer board? If so - would make a good future video for you to make 🙂

Great review. I’ve been waiting for 2 years for these. Can the spring be removed from the top of the track? I ask because I plan to install them without switch machines in the beginning and convert them as money allows. If not, I guess I would have to remove the springs and use ground throws in the meantime, unless you can think of an alternative.

I have been using the old Shinohara code 83 turnouts in my current layout construction (since I had them) - they required quite a bit of work to make them DCC friendly as well as fitting them into tight yard spaces. Like the new Walthers turnouts, they look pretty good. You made no mention about the new Walthers turnouts requiring 'surgery' to fit them into yards or to maintain 2" track spacing - in a past video, you praised one brand (Piko or was it Micro Engineering?) as not requiring any 'surgery'. Just saying - that point was not discussed in this review.

Hi Larry, As always thanks for what you do. Would you still use the microengineering ladder track system for tight spaces?

Is that a through-hole in the tie that connects to the frog so you don't have to use the eyelet at the end? I feel like it might be easier to hide a connection there.

They look great. However, I have several 3-way turnouts code 83 which look like the old kind in that the point blades are hinged. I thought the packaging said DCC friendly but how do I know and can you help me or point me somewhere that I can find out what needs to be done and how to know if they need modified or not. Are there wiring diagrams available using tortoise machines and Frog juicers if I want to go that way? Sorry for all thequestions but am having trouble figuring this out.

I'm really curious what your opinion will be with the Peco Unifrog turnouts compared to these. I have 14 Peco Unifrog turnouts waiting to be used on my "in progress" switching layout. I certainly hope I didn't make a poor choice.

Nice improvements. Are these gauged correctly?

G'Day. Thanks for a great comparison. At our club, Adelaide Model Raiolroaders, we have been using Shinohara and Walthers code 83 track and need to purchase some more turnouts and track. One question you did not answer is are the thickness (depth) of the ties on the new Walthers turn outs the same as the old ones? Cheers Ken.

Looks like Walthers did a great job. Cost vs the competitors?

Cool.

i think I will be using Walthers flex track, turnouts, and some of their switch machines... just can't decide between code 100 and 83.... any advice on that?

Are you able to swap head block ties to either side like on the atlas ? If so that would be a complete winner. As there are times the switch stand needs to be on the opposite side.

I am a little confused, What type of switch do i use on a control panel for these nice points

Makes me wish I was rebuilding my layout. Will N scale also be offered?

Are the rails nickel silver, brass, or something else?

What would cause a DC engine cross 1 switch but stalls in the middle of the 2nd switch?

Do you know if they will add code 70 to this line?

Wants the best switch machine

Do they have n scale switches as well?

In maharashtra India me available hai

Teeeeco