Atlas Custom Supreme O Switch

Ross switches, GG track.  The very best solution IMO

I know GG is popular, but IMO the Atlas 21st Century track is more realistic with tie spacing. I am not opposed to GG but I've already started purchasing Atlas, and need to choose switches. As I stated, most opinions on their switches are a few years old so I am curious to see if they've improved over the last 2 years. I also don't know how the "High Speed" switches work compared to their other switches.

Thanks for your reply.

I've worked with both Ross and Atlas switches.  Both are excellent quality.   You can couple the ross switches to Atlas track, using the Atlas Rail joiners.   This is a picture of Gargraves to Atlas, the Ross track profile is similar to Gargraves, without the bottom profile that has been dremel-ed off in these pictures. 

My preference is using Atlas track with Ross turnouts. You can use the Atlas joiners with the Ross track and everything lines up perfectly. The catch is you have to cut the stringers from the end ties on the Ross turnouts and push the end ties back about 1/4" to provide a good seat for the rail joiner. Ross turnouts are smooth and reliable even after years of high traffic.

Recently posted picture by Dr. Condro.    Beautiful Ross curved switch and Atlas track on their club layout.

This is great info - thanks for the replies, I appreciate your time and help. Sounds to me like Atlas switches are ok, but Ross is an "upgrade" to smoother and trouble free operation long term.

Since I haven't purchased a single switch yet, only Atlas track sections, I may try a smaller portion of my overall layout with one switch of each (2 switches with a small portion of the mainline) to compare operation and look/feel. This way, I am only out 1 switch if I don't like one or the other, and that's where eBay will bail me out!

Thanks again - I knew joining this forum was worthwhile. Lots of priceless information and hands on feedback.

DJ, Atlas is aware of the known "issues" with prior releases of their turn-outs.  So much so that they vowed to improve the design/construction in future releases of their turn-outs.  They even published the document below that highlights the changes.  The problem, however, is that their product has been very slow in coming for many well-documented reasons.  We've been waiting for their new turn-outs for years!

I am also getting ready to build a new layout and have been dragging my feet on making a track & turn-out decision hoping to see if Atlas delivers their "new and improved" product!

Maybe part of my confusion is in the switch naming - Custom, High Speed, 7.5, 5, etc. I've got some homework to do to understand the differences better.

Joe - Thanks for posting this document. I haven't seen this before so it's certainly helpful. 

Boy am I ever in the same boat, I literally have all of my track sections for the 3 rail layout I am working on except for the dang switches which have been oos for years...uhhh I'm a patient man but it is really getting ridiculous at this point.  But hopefully they will be here soon.   

Doesn't Ross have options, especially for curved turnouts, and cheaper prices, though I suppose prices depend a lot on the turnouts and dealer. I haven't given much thought lately to turnouts. Since I may not have more than a few, I suppose it doesn't make much difference,  but I need to think about using curved switches in a couple of locations as I redo my design.

All the new Atlas switches will preform about the same regardless of the size.  The issue is unless you are willing to wait a couple years for Atlas to even make new ones you have to pick some other brand.  They are just now starting to get some sectional track back to market, but there are still delays on switches.

I am going to go all Atlas track for my layout, but I can afford to wait a couple more years for switches.  If you want to build now, get the switches others recommend.

I hear you all. I went with the FasTrack because I didn't know what type of layout I wanted, what track I liked best, etc. Spent lots of $ on Command switches and MTH's DCS and the Z4000 transformer before I really knew where I was headed.

Then I saw the Atlas track in person and my heart dropped because I was never really happy with the FasTrack to begin with. I waited to find something positive on the Atlas switches but I'm done waiting. I have my entire FasTrack layout and switches (even the NIB extras) on eBay, bought some favorite engines and cars, lumber to build, and I'm stuck on switches!!!

To shorten this, since you've all gone through it and I don't want to be the skipping Vinyl record, I plan to begin my build with small sections and try 1 of each switch, Atlas and Ross. At least this way I can make my decision based on some experience guided by the input here.

Thanks to all for the help!

All Atlas 3 and 2 rail track and switches for me...easy on the DCS signal too even when dirty

When  designing layouts there is a lot to balance between room space. aisle space, bench work surface, style of track plan, etc.  One thing you do not want is to have to design/build it all with just a couple of style of switches.

I experienced maximum flexibility  with the extremely wide assortment of turnouts Ross has.  The single most important turnout style is the curved turnout, of which Ross has many sizes.

Plus their cross overs, 3-way, 4 track yard wye, double slip, it just does not get any better. 

Once ballasted the tie difference between Atlas. GG, Ross track even Scale track  is diminished.

They are here now, priced right and proven long term reliable.

To muddle the confusion, this is a Ross 204  3-way switch. It is a tight, #4 switch, designed for a yard area. This remodel project has them mated to Ross #5 switches a little less intense.   Note the difference of the diverge track.

Numbered switches usually have a straight or near straight diverge track.   An O72 switch will have a curved diverge that matches O72 curves.    Larger numbered switches: Example #8, are considered high speed switches, with a relatively small diverge angle, train speed can be increased.  Small numbered switches, like the one pictured, take a slow train, with care, through the switch, due to lateral forces/de-rail potential. 

I hear you all. I went with the FasTrack because I didn't know what type of layout I wanted, what track I liked best, etc. Spent lots of $ on Command switches and MTH's DCS and the Z4000 transformer before I really knew where I was headed.

Then I saw the Atlas track in person and my heart dropped because I was never really happy with the FasTrack to begin with. I waited to find something positive on the Atlas switches but I'm done waiting. I have my entire FasTrack layout and switches (even the NIB extras) on eBay, bought some favorite engines and cars, lumber to build, and I'm stuck on switches!!!

To shorten this, since you've all gone through it and I don't want to be the skipping Vinyl record, I plan to begin my build with small sections and try 1 of each switch, Atlas and Ross. At least this way I can make my decision based on some experience guided by the input here.

Thanks to all for the help!

Mike - I didn't even know they made 3-way switches! Also, thanks for the explaination on the switch numbering, this was something I wondered about.

Atlas switches are not inferior. I have been using Atlas track and switches for a few of years now. I too like the look of Atlas track and wanted my switches to match my track. I don't have any problems with my Atlas track or switches. I really like it and rarely clean it.  Atlas is one of the few solid nickel silver rail track systems available in O gauge. The solid rail is very nice and also very quiet. It works very well here, with both my DCS and Legacy systems.

Atlas is no easier and no more difficult or complicated than any of the available track systems. Each system has pros and cons, there is no one track system that is perfect. IMO, track is also a personal preference thing, and I think all of the track systems available today are good ones. What one person swears by, the next person will swear at. It all works (with each ones pros and cons) and you should get what you like and are comfortable with. If you research any track system, I think you will find folks having problems with something somewhere with every system.

The switch machines are also fine if you use them correctly and don't hold the switch button down too long. This is true for all twin coil switch machines, not just Atlas and not just in O gauge. Leaving power on to any of them for too long will burn up twin coil switch machines from any manufacturer. The only Atlas switches I have had any problems with were used ones that were pretty well worn out when I got them. I was able to get parts from Atlas (with their excellent assistance) and fix all but one switch which had a large piece of rail that fell off while I was working on it. Probably could have glued it back on, but it became a parts donor as I had a few extras.

RTR12 - Excellent information, and kind of puts my mind at ease with my decision to stay with Atlas track. I really do like the look the best of all the tracks I've seen and held in my hands. 

Thanks for taking the time, much appreciated.

I researched Atlas track and switches quite a bit before going with it. A few years ago when I got back in the hobby and couldn't decide on which track to use, I got a book on track and read it completely. It was Trackwork for Toy Trains by Peter Riddle. I thought Atlas was for me so I went and bought some Atlas track and a couple of switches to try out and see for myself. It met all my expectations and I am now sold on it after starting a layout and using it for a few years. As I said above I became a big fan of the solid nickel silver rails, and I really like the looks of it as well. I don't think you will be disappointed, I think it will work just as good as it looks and feels in your hands. Take your time and install it to the best of your ability and don't hold the switch buttons down too long and you should be fine, and happy too I hope. It all starts with good bench work, anything that is off there will only make the following pieces get worse as you progress. 

I like my Atlas.