Turnouts: what's the down and dirty about Atlas turnouts?

You don't want to hear this...

Concerning turnouts...you get what you pay for... I would build your layout slower (re: when the money becomes available) and put quality turnouts in...its one of those compromises that could haunt you latter.

 

I know that most folks will disagree with me on this , but heck here goes. I have used Atlas turnouts on EVERY layout I have ever built. Two reasons: they are easily accessible, and frankly there is not a turnout out there that does not have one problem or another (Andy Sperandeo did a great article on this very topic in MR a while back). Atlas is also affordable (just barely) for me . Yes you want the best trackwork on the planet because that is why we do this...but Atlas has never "failed" me in terms of their turnouts. I do not; however, recommend the automatic turnouts, they are unrealistic and burn out quickly . On the new layout I run Atlas Custom Line which will be manually thrown via a push/pull knob and piano wire . Again, there are problems (especially with losing contact along the plastic frogs) but this can be rectified with jump wires. Anyway, just my 2-cents worth. Happy Modeling and let us know what you decide!
John

 

At one time I believed the only turnouts I should use are the ones made by Peco. Recently I tried a few Atlas turnouts and once installed the work very well. Now I still use Peco in what could be considered tough spots as my experience is they keep working with little maintenance. I only hope the Atlas turnouts will work as well. Altas are cheaper. The main difference as far as I am concerned is the Peco switches have the built in spring which forces the points to one side or the other. The Atlas tunouts rely on your choice of control mechanism to keep the points set the way you want them. It's like that old hashed out comparison between Kato and Atlas. I find the Peco turnouts are well made and sturdy. The Atlas ones seem to be more delecate but once installed, they are fine.

 

My current layout is going to use all Atlas Custom-Line turnouts thrown by Tortoise switch machines. Main reason is they are inexpensive, and work well for the most part. However, I plan on using ME turnouts and track on my next layout (when I get my own house) as you can get the smaller code 70 and 55 rail.

 

I heard Atlas might come out with another line of track, Code 55, with proper scaled turnouts and the whole bit. I dont like Pecos that much, they are too "bulky", wrong for American layouts, and its either the huge Code 80 or the Code 55, and its "double rails" mean you can only use Peco flextrack with it, let alone the replacment of ties underneath the gap is a killer. I really suggest ME's turnouts, and if properly laid, will be the best damned track you ever had. Theres no need to go out one day and pick up 200 ME turnouts. Buy them in small amounts and work in small areas. Finish that area (wiring, paint, but dont ballast) and make sure everything runs smoothly. Then continue on to the next. If you still dont like using ME, Atlas is OK track. Just some info

Mike

 

Ditto on Atlas turnouts' reasonable cost AND good reliability. I've used them exclusively for the past few years. Atlas turnouts got a bad rap 10 or more years ago when they were made in a "certain" country. In the past 10 years they have been made exceptionally well. RE track, if you paint the rails a dark brown or black and do a good job ballasting, they look every bit as good as Peco's at half the cost.

 

all my switches are atlas manua's with the controls gutted(non-powered) and Caboose hobbies ground throws installed, it looks and works fine for me.

 

Personally, I prefer Peco turnouts, particularly on my nTrak and oNeTrak modules, and my last layout had code 55 Micro Engineering turnouts on it, however, the Atlas Custom line turnouts are approved for use on nTrak modules which places them in a standing better than the standard Atlas type.
That is not to say that the standard Atlas model is no good. On the contrary, they are a good turnout and have been used by many for all different size layouts with no problems over the years.
The trick is to ensure that your trackwork is of a good quality and that care is used when installing them so your equipment will run over it with no problems at all.
As for switch machines, stay away from the Atlas type, as they are forever burning out (I manage a model train store and I sell a lot of replacement Atlas switch machines in both HO and N sacle).
My preference would be the Peco or Tortoise switch machine, although I don't use them, prefering to use ground throws or in the case of the Peco's, nothing at all, as the spring action works fine for me.
The area I model never had remotely operated switches, only hand thrown ones.
As for being on a budget, remember that Rome was not built in a day and neither should your layout. Personally, I would take my time and build my layout over a longer period, while saving up my undervalued "Northern Peso's" up and getting the better quality turnouts.
Also, you could take the "Insanity Route" (ask me, I've been there) , and build all of your turnouts in place .
Just a few thoughts, however, keep us informed on your progress.
Happy modeling.
Cheers!

Terry

 

I used to have Atlas turn outs but had many derailments due to the points not throwing completely.

Now I used Peco a little more expensive, but man am I happy. They work great. I don't have a single regret. Its Peco all the way for me.

Scot

 

You can use a piece of music wire to give some spring to the hook up between the switch machine or manual method and as long as the movement is slightly more than the throw of the switch, the wire bends and holds the rail in place.

 

I used Atlas custom line turnouts on the Newberg Branch. but wish I had filed the points first. I use caboose hand throws, (very fun to actually throw a switch) but they exert abit more than normal pressure on the points and they "ride up" sticking above the rail. my Life-Like locos pick the points (my atlas and kato are better) so I later filed the points. This would have been obviously easier before instalation.

I saw some peco turnouts on a layout at a show. I didn't notice them not looking american, I thought they looked sharp. the points were filed at a 45 deg. angle. is this stock or did the club members do that?

Also available on peco are the "powered frogs" or non powered frogs. I have non powered frogs because I wanted to be able to power the sidings and spurs sepperate so I could do some switching with the turnout set for the main.

 

the only problems with my atlas turnouts (only with #4's) in that only 1 of my 18 autoparts boxcars, climbs the frogs, I made a wheel guage adjustment and it's flawless now. BTW, I'm going to the hobby Shop to get more ATLAS switches for my Interchange with the Moose River and the engine yard.

 

On my current layout I used PECO electrofrogs on the whole railroad and have never regreted it.
On two N-Trak modules that I have under constrution I'm using the new Atlas custom-line #6s with Caboose groundthrows and have been suitably impressed with their purformance. there is a trick I learned from the Atlas HO turnouts, there is a pair of cuts that you can make at the turnout switch-points that makes it into a power-routing turnout ala PECO. The hinge plates that the point rails are attached to run under the stock rails. you make the cuts between the stock rail and the point rails in the hinge plate and thats all there is to that.