Rock, thanks again for confirming what I assumed.

If the turnouts are out of the blister pack then a quick look at the underside would indicate which turnouts are which. The exposed red wires would tell you they can be converted to whichever way suits you, while no exposed wires would indicate strictly power routing type.
Ordering the turnouts, sight unseen, may pose a problem. A modification to the item number would be helpful here.

The back of the new blister pack has the verbiage and a diagram showing how to power the frog, however the literature enclosed may be confusing by stating the turnouts are power routing.
I do not use DCC.
Why Bachmann would include "not recommended for DCC" on the new turnout packaging is a mystery to me, seeing as the frog is unpowered and all routes are live from the factory.
It's a moot point with me anyway.

It would appear to me that when using these new turnouts in all routes live mode, on DC as a crossover, that they would require insulated joiners between them... no?

As far as the crossovers go...
I don't have any so I am unable to comment on whether or not these have been revised as well. Can anybody comment as to whether there is an old (power routing) version and a new (convertible) version? The version Rock has can be converted, have they always been that way?

This has been a good thread and lots of good information (facts) passed along here.
I've learned something and thanks to all participating.

I went to my LHS today and got to see for myself the new yellow packaged turnouts.
The owner let me open the blister pack and fondle the turnout.
She said this is at least the third revision of these turnouts and the external difference between the first two is the length of the point rails.

What I observed...
The part number is unchanged; the packaging now has yellow bordering instead of blue.
The packaging on the new yellow still states "not recommended for DCC".
They still have the same literature enclosed, which I posted, stating they are power routing.
The frog is not live but can be converted by moving one of the wires to join the other.

I did not buy the turnout so I have copied Rock pic.
To power the frog, connect the wires to the outbound most boss on top of the existing one
circled.

If you try this, please report back and let us know how the turnout behaves.

If something is locking at the worm gear you've got problems.
You need to see what is moving/shifting to cause that, could be the motor moving, or the motor shaft, could be excessive slop in the drive could be something more.
Run them without the shell and get your eyes down on it.
Shims are easily made from blister packaging on most anything you buy. Finding the right thickness plastic to use is mostly trial and error if you have nothing to measure it with.
Calipers are a good investment.

Are you absolutely sure the problem is at the worm?


Good luck

QuoteBy golly, it worked!

Good to hear.

Quoteused a strip cut from the framing from a photoetch fret.

Ya didn't use the wife's good scissors did ya?

I called my LHS today and spoke with a not so knowledgeable clerk. He stated the new turnouts are now packaged in yellow as opposed to the old blue packaging; however he "guessed" the item number was unchanged.  I asked how long they had been out; his reply was "just recently".
Also said the 10in. straights were also in new yellow packaging as well.


A good excuse for me to check them out in person this upcoming weekend, and for a conversation with the owner for more information.

The nut has been cracked.
Wow indeed!

However, this opens a whole other can of worms for the consumer.

If Mr. Bachmann would be so kind as to answer...

Is it safe to assume these turnouts were indeed manufactured to be all routes live or is this fluke and thereby a QC issue with the printed circuit?
When were the all routes live turnouts released?
Are these new turnouts exclusive to the "N scale First Railroad Track Pack" or are they available as separate single items?
Why would such a significant change have not been made a public announcement? The DCC users would have welcomed this information with open arms.
How will the consumer know which type turnouts they are purchasing without first physically opening the bottom?
Will Bachmann continue to manufacturer the power routing turnouts, or has production come to an end with these?

Inquiring minds want to know...help us out here Mr. B, would you please clear this up for us?
Thanks

I don't know of any model company that will replace damaged packaging.
Atlas, Micro-trains, and other manufacturers offer the jewel cases separately.
From time to time you can also catch them on eBay and at train shows.

Good luck

Our turnouts appear to be one and the same.
We are on the same page comparing apples to apples.
Thank you for confirming this.

The saga continues.
The question remains, why do our turnouts behave differently?

Here are a few pics of the internals.
These are both right hand (N4861), however, take note of the way they are wired differently from the factory.
This does not affect power routing but the points positions between the two are opposite. Note the position of the spring lever and the relation of the pinion gear to the rack on each.
What I see is an inconsistency in wiring, perhaps due to a production assembly method revision.
Either way, the turnouts function as they should and route power as expected.

You are going to have to remove a bottom plate off one of your turnouts and have a look see.
Something inside must be different between what you have and what I have.

Anybody have any pics to show anything that's different than what I have?

Rock,
Just to be sure we are all on the same page here let me ask this.
Early on in the thread you make reference to #6 turnouts.
The old(?) turnouts are not numbered other than the wye, are you using left and right turnouts or are you using the #6 wye?(N44869)
Does the packaging you have state #6 left or #6 right?
The old(?) packaging does not have this.
Can you have a look underside the turnouts and confirm the numbers embossed to be N44861 and N44862, maybe if the turnouts are now DCC friendly Bachmann has changed the part numbers?
Looking at the products page, the #6 wye (old? N44869) states analog operation as well.
I also see new #4 turnouts N44863 left and N44864 right, but both also state analog operation.

I know, silly questions but we don't need any misinformation and we all wish to give good advice.

Like you, I am trying to figure it all out as I think all here are.
Thanks

Maybe Bachmann has changed something since I last bought EZ turnouts (about 3-4 years ago)?

Mr. Bachmann... if you're following this thread can you confirm Bachmann has now made available DCC friendly n scale turnouts?

Here's the literature that came packaged with mine;

The n scale turnouts are indeed power routing.
Powering them, or not, does not make a difference.

Can you post a drawing of your track plan showing the location of both your turnouts and your terminal track(s)?

Not sure which version of the Santa Fe you guys have but mine came equipped with a spring. It appears to be phosphor bronze.
It was purchased new in '06 and came in the plastic jewel case.
According to spook, it is the newest split frame revision.
I will post a pic late tonight after work.

I'd check the wheel gauge first also, chances are its tight.
If yours is so equipped (newest version), check the spring tension between the top of the truck and bottom of the frame too.

Hi nantro,

I think you will get a lot of ideas if you provide more information.

What brand loco?
What model?