By Jon D. Miller LSOL.com Reviews Editor

Author  Bio The long awaited Aristo-Craft #6 turnouts have finally arrived.

The long awaited Aristo-Craft #6 turnouts have finally arrived. First on the scene are the brass code 332 versions with USA style ties. Stainless Steel versions are due to follow in a few months. Product numbers for the brass versions are ART 30330 left hand and ART 30340 right hand. Packaging is first class with the ends of the turnout encased in foam to eliminate damage to rail ends and joiners.

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Having dealt with nothing larger than LGB 4' radius and Aristo-Craft 5' radius turnouts up to this point the new #6 turnout is rather impressive by its sheer size. Length of the #6 is 35 5/8" so this one will require a large footprint. The widest point is 6 1/4". I envision a good number of operator's changing track alignments to incorporate the turnout into a layout. Quoting from the Aristo-Craft Instruction Manual, "The diverging leg is not a radius, but is straight and is joined to the main straight section by a shallow curve. The angle between the diverging routes the frog angle is 9 degrees 30 minutes."

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As mentioned, the longest length is from the entrance end of the turnout to the end of the inner diverging rail that extends from the frog. Length along the stock running rail is 35 3/8". These lengths do not take into account the rail joiners. This is one turnout where rail clamps will be a definite plus for ease of installation and servicing. The frog is metal and powered. Due to its length, powering the frog was required to insure electrical pickup as equipment moves through the frog. In order to control polarity of the frog a micro switch is mounted on the underside of the turnout.

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The frog, pictured above, is 5 11/16" in length. Note that the flange way is rather deep on this frog. Wheel hop will not be a problem no matter the size of flange. What will be slightly noticeable is a certain amount of wheel drop when very small diameter wheels go through the frog. Since the flange way is so deep, wheel flanges will not carry the wheel through the frog by running along the bottom of the flange way.

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In the above picture the pencil tip is pointing to the micro switch that controls frog polarity. Quoting from the Aristo-Craft Instruction Manual, "If this switch is to be installed out of doors, it is advisable to coat the micro switch and all screws with a coat of good quality non-conductive grease."

This micro switch could turn out to be the Achilles' heel of the #6. Using rail clamps will facilitate the service that this micro switch is sure to require when installed out of doors. I intend to coat all electrical connections and their screws with an anti-oxidant paste. This paste is conductive so it should help limit corrosion while maintaining good electrical contact.

Only the micro switch will receive a coating of non-conductive grease as recommended by Aristo-Craft. In the picture also note what appears to be a silver wire. On these turnouts Aristo has elected to use solid, non-coated wire for providing power to the various components. These heavier wires should eliminate the melted stranded wires that caused a problem with the 5' radius turnouts when running locomotives with high amperage draw or when a short circuit occurred at the turnout.

With a live frog picking the switch could result in a short circuit damaging an engine or turnout. There is a thermal circuit breaker incorporated in the turnout wiring. This thermal circuit breaker is required to protect the system in the event the switch is picked.

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Two turnouts were joined to form a crossover. A USA Trains "F" unit and a LGB box cab, both with sliders, were operated through the turnouts to check for any possible electrical shorting or the sliders hanging up on any components. In every case the locomotives traveled through the turnouts without problems. It appears that Aristo-Craft has eliminated the slider problem with this #6 turnout.

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When configured as a crossover, the centerline between parallel rails is 6 1/4". This compares to the 7 1/2" that is achieved with LGB's 1600 series, 4 foot radius turnouts. At 6 1/4" centerline there is ample space between cars or locomotives occupying the parallel tracks. Locomotives moved smoothly through the turnouts, at speed, without the sudden change in direction that we have come to expect when operating on previously available mass-produced turnouts. These #6 turnouts will be a boon to operators of large locomotives and the ever increasing length of both freight and passenger equipment.

On the down side, in addition to potential problems with the micro switch and the possible requirement for additional maintenance, the guide rails are of concern.

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The tip of the pencil is pointing to the end of a guide rail. Aristo elected to grind a slight angle rather than place a bend on each end of the guide rail. The rather blunt ends have the potential to cause tracking problems when equipment moves through the turnout. This will be especially true if the equipment does not have properly gauged wheels. During testing these guide rails did not cause a problem, but once out on the layout I can envision derailments due to this lack of proper fabrication. I'll try mine as they are, but fully expect to have to remove the guide rails and correct this obvious lack of attention to detail. On balance the new #6 turnouts appear to be up to the job. It should be noted that of 8 turnouts received not one loose or missing screw was discovered. It seems as though Aristo-Craft has eliminated that problem. Aristo-Craft's standard mechanical switch machine is used.

The point bar is molded with thicker plastic that should eliminate some of the problems encountered with previous turnouts. Installation of the turnouts will take extra effort to insure that they are properly supported, flat, and level over their entire length and width. With a footprint of almost 3 feet long by 6 1/4 inches wide a substantial base for the turnout will be a must. Care will have to be exercised to limit the amount of gravel, grit, dirt, and other foreign objects that could foul the points and point bar.

Proper maintenance and protection from moisture could be critical for continued trouble free operation of the micro switch. All initial testing was accomplished on a cement floor. The turnouts, in this environment, worked without a problem. How well this latest addition to mass-produced track components performs out in the harsh environment of a layout will only be determined over time. I look forward to getting mine installed on the layout; just as soon as the rain stops and good weather returns.

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