ATLAS SECTIONAL TRACK ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS COME LOOSE??

Ron: I was an early adopter of the Atlas"O" track system. The first year's production did have some problems with the first design of rail joiner which did NOT have "dimples" in the bottom of the rail joiner. These did have electrical issues if the track was not fastened down. Atlas soon released what are known now as the "dimpled" rail joiner that has a dimple ( 2 each)  in the bottom flat section that increases contact between the rail joiner and the bottom of the rail section. Once I replaced my first-run joiners with the dimpled version, I have not had issues. My present 11' X 14" layout has four electrical feeders spaced around the layout and I do not have voltage drop issues. 

I do recommend the track be screwed down so that the track sections don't get to flex under use.

Altas"O" does not have both outside rails joined electrically which makes using any rail as a control rail for relay operated accessories very easy; no more prying up tie-tabs to insert insulating paper-just use the insulated rail joiner anywhere desired to make an insulated rail section.

While I'm only a Lionel Legacy system operator, Atlas track is compatible with TMCC/Legacy along with MTH's DCS system.

Ron Hollander posted:

2)  Also, something I didn't quite catch about about not having "bonding strips" underneath like Lionel Fast Track that link the outside rails to each other.  (Though why you'd want to do this, when Lionel tubular always had them insulated, not clear to me.)

 

The outer rails of Lionel tubular are electrically bonded together by the metal ties, unless you buy a special insulated section.

Ron Hollander posted:

1)  I want to use a combination of Atlas sectional and flex track.  I'm backed into a corner, and need the sectional for 0-27 turn-arounds on the top level of my layout.  I was really excited to learn about it, until a good hobby store salesman cautioned me that the ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS between pieces are not reliable, and come loose with use.  Said on his large layout, it was a constant matter of soldering jumpers between the sections as one by one they loosened.  IS THIS TRUE??

Best,

Ron Hollander (TCA 78-12384)

 

 

 

 

 

The "good hobby store salesman" doesn't seem to know what he's talking about......I have about 300   track joints on my atlas o layout, and never have any issues......jim

We use Atlas sectional track for all the curves on the G&O garden railroad.  The track has been outside for over 5 years without issues on the sectional curves.  We do have issues on the flex track straights because of the expansion and contraction in the sun.  We do solder jumpers on the straights.  You shouldn't have this issue indoors.

I also use Atlas flex and sectional on my indoor home layout.  The only thing solder to the track is the electrical connections from the transformer.

NH Joe

D&H 65 is correct about the original rail joiners. That was fixed long ago. Make sure you have the dimpled rail joiners. I have had a permanent layout with Atlas track and switches for 1-1/2 years now with no problems. If you are constantly assembling and re-assembling the track the rail joiners may loosen up some, but if you have a permanent setup it will be fine. I also recommend securing the track in some way so it does not move around.

Ingenerio No 1 has a great method of connecting the power to Atlas track. It is described in his build thread in this link: Hidden Pass RR I copied his methods on my  layout and it works great. Some other great tips in that thread as well. I have both Legacy and DCS and have no problems with either system.

Also, I have been using Atlas track for at least 4 years now and have never seen a rail joiner that was not dimpled. I think they are not all that common these days, maybe most of them have been disposed of and replaced with the newer dimple style. I have also purchased some track and switches used and it all had the good rail joiners as well.

Atlas track and switches had a few problems when the line was first made. These were addressed by Atlas as they were discovered. Personally, I think a lot of problems reported with Atlas track and switches go way back to the beginning and have long since been corrected, just my opinion as I have not had any problems with my Atlas track.

We have Atlas track on our subway system  We only chose Atlas to make the subway look different from the Ross and Gargraves we have on the rest of the layout  Very sorry we did  Dimple or no dimple the electrical connectivity is terrible  Since we are on a wood floor with wood benchwork the track tends to move and the connectors spread and lose connectivity  Most of the subway is covered and its a PITA to correct