Atlas Switch Question

There is a board and more up-to-date switch contoller you can buy. The board (I believe it is #6924) has a wiring diagram that shows how to provide power to the dead spots in the switch and to set up automatic derailing. I have done it on a number of switches; it's a little complicated but it can be done.

I think the 6924 or some variant is the only way to make Atlas O turnout switch machines non-derail. This is because the switch machine is electro-mechanical. The signal that tells the switch machine to change position must be momentary otherwise the coil wrapped around the plastic core will heat up and melt the core freezing the switch motor in place. I don't know if there are momentary relays available (the Atlas 200 won't work and I don't thing the DZ-1008 will either) but this would probably be the way to go. The only other option is to replace the Atlas switch machine with something like the DZ-1000, then non-derail is simple - an isolated section of outside track with a wire connected to the switch machine.

Joe

Supposedly the non-derailing board is out of stock everywhere.  But if you have $331 burning a hole in your pocket, and some extra room under your layout, a lot of thirteen of these circuit boards was posted for sale yesterday on the Buy and Sell forum.  No, there's no hoarders here on the Forum .   

If you don't need all thirteen, hang onto them a few years, and maybe you can double your investment!  Who said you can't make money on modern trains!  Over $300 to get non-derailing functionality that was standard 80 years ago?  

"One.  One track system to rule them all!"  You guess which one.   

Thanks...might look into the DZ 1000 .

Success for me in my HO days was to place a reed switch in the track at both incoming positions to the switch. The reed will be connected  to switch ground with one or the reed wires connected to one of the outside screws on the switch machine. Put a magnet under the engine frame to engage the reed switch momentarily as it passes over it. It’s no different than pushing the control button  to the switch. Serves the same purpose. Reed switches and good magnets are inexpensive. 

Nessmuck, I used DZ1000’s on my Atlas switches solely for the purpose of gaining anti-derail functionality. They cost the same as the impossible-to-find Atlas boards and are much easier to wire. Very happy with them. Standard warning applies: buy them from one of their many great dealers as opposed to directly from ZStuff. 

Thanks Sandman ! That’s what I was hoping for...an easy fix.