Hello, As I have been out of HO for decades, I have some questions. I did some searches here at trainboard, but did not find a clear answer(s) What is the difference between: 1) Atlas Switch code 83 snap switch (more toy like?) I'm thinking these are NOT the ones to go with. http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/Code83/540.jpg 2)Atlas Custom code 83 switch (come in #4, #6, & #8) http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/Code83/564.jpg 3)Atlas Super track code 83 swtich #6 (#505/506) http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/506.JPG I will be using DCC I will be running these locos: 1) Bachmann spectrum 3 truck shay 2) Bachmann spectrum Climax 3) Bachmann spectrum 4-6-0 so I wish to model their era - so mostly logging type of layout. Will these locos run ok on #4 turnout? thanks, -Koz
They should do fine on all of those switches. I have had issues with the frog, that is made of plastic, on atlas switches being to tall and causing engines to lose electrical contact when rolling over them. You have some nice locos there. post some pictures as you progress.
All should be fine as Geeky says. Personally, I prefer the Atlas Super for its looks and because it's easier to attach a switch machine or hand throw to either side because of a longer, double-ended slide.
I have some of each, tho' they're all #6's and my Bachman Decapod (2-10-0) has no problems with any of them.
As I recall, the #4 turnout was originally made to work with the toy train market's 18" radius track sections when HO/00 first came to America. Since it was some time before other sizes of turnouts were readily available for the model industry, too much money was dedicated to the #4 tooling to be scrapped, so they kept on making it for the kiddies, and those who only had space for a layout if they made use of this industrial size turnout. So far as I have been able to find out, there were no full size railroads that made such a sharp turnout even in their yards. The only true #4's were made for industrial, mining, and logging narrow guage roads. Not all big roads used the #6 in their yards either, some used the #8 and larger because of the longer passenger cars. You can figure it out this way: freight cars were designed to have a coupler swing from center to to full side of 9°, and passenger car couplers could swing 11°. Lay out an "S" curve of two turnouts as in a crossover. Mark the center post of the trucks, center of body mounted couplers, the distance of clasp couplers (between cars), and the other truck centers. Draw a line from the coupler mounting center of one car to the other car and from the truck centers draw another line through the line on the couplers. Measure the protracted angle between the two lines to see if your turnout will allow the cars to stay on the track and go through this "S" curve. It is this cross binding where one car over hangs to one side and the other car hangs over the other side, that pulls the cars closer together, that makes the difference. This binding effect is most felt when backing cars into a yard where the side leverage tends to push the car off the track, in real life as well as on our layouts. Because of the wide clearence for our wheel flanges, the #4 turnout has a large gap in the rail at the frog point, which causes a lot of derails.
thanks everyone! I still am confused as to what the difference is between these two? 2)Atlas Custom code 83 switch (come in #4, #6, & #8) http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/...Code83/564.jpg 3)Atlas Super track code 83 swtich #6 (#505/506) http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/506.JPG The Super track turnout is newer? other than the turnout being the same length as the mainline and the customs are not, what else is different? any DCC benefits? looks? Sorry, but if Altas wodul put some info on their site about these, but there is practically nothing but a photo and price.:angry:
I dont know about Atlas but I do know that the newer Walthers/Shanohorra ? have switches with gaps for DCC already cut and they are just a few dollars more and they use a lot better looking rail frog instead of the Atlas clump frog. I used to buy Atlas switches in the past but have come to detest the looks of thier frogs in all of the line of switches. But to answer your question, I think that one has a metal frog and the other has a plastic frog.
