I planing to make a small module in 2 rails, how are the Atlas turnout ? Any problem ?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I personally like them. They're detailed good enough and work good too. I run power feeds to all sides so the current doesn't need to pass thru the switch anyways.
While I agree with Joe, there are some things I would say about the Atlas switches which might be a concern for you
- make sure the frogs are fully isolated, often pinch back together and cause shorts
- frog and guardrails a little wide so most of the narrow tread wheels will "fall" in to the frog but the frog flangway can be filled with a styrene strip to help with the condition
- I would power the frog for best operation, but not absolutely required, depends on your equipment
- Points can and sometimes do pop out of the plastic clips holding them to the throwbar
I'm sure there are others that will be brought up, but doing these things definitely improves the operation of the Atlas #7.5 switches I have installed.
A good alternative, and one not so problematic, is this new entry to the turnout market. Worth a closer look!
I would second flangers recommendation. This guys product looks very good and is offered in a few different levels of detail/completion.
We had a pretty thorough discussion of these new turnouts here: New O Scale Turnouts and I did a review in OST.
You can download a PDF description of the new turnouts here: OScaleTurnouts
I also did a complete re-work of an Atlas turnout in OST#52 (still available for sale).
When you fold together the expense of time and money, the new O Scale turnouts that Flanger links to, IMO, come out the least expensive and best looking. Just got my first one and they are very nice. A cure for the atlas weak spots.
Too many nickle silver trees are cut down to make an atlas turnout.
WOW, I was considering to order a Fastrack jig, but those are Way better looking. thanks a lot I will order one from Ebay to give it a try
The Fastrack jig seems to be a viable alternative if you have a lot of switches, plus the time and patience to "roll your own" turnouts. A friend of mine has some and has built some very nice turnouts. They're cut for Micro Engineering Code 148 rail.
Nothing says that you can't do both, use the FT jig to build your switches especially if you want your closure rails to go right into your points (one piece vs. cast points) and a frog made out of rail vs cast?
You can still use the RoW details, tie plates, etc... you could temporarily hold the rails in palce with the PC ties and then add your details and if you choose remove the pc ties if you want a consistant look and replace them with a standard wood tie, tie plate, etc... You could also leave the PC ties in place and just your regular ties for everything else? Totally up to each modeler.
