I had a freak accident today involving two Atlas O-72 left hand switches that were connected together. I've run these switches on my layout for nearly 8 years without any issues. You can see in the picture below that the same rail broke on both switches. Both switches were in the open position at the time. If anyone has any idea how this could have occurred I'd appreciate the thoughts.
- Jason
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You can easily fixed that issue with a small drill, ho track spikes, an exacto knife, and some crazy glue.
Once you fix the rail, it will not break for a very long time.
Oh yeah... I use Life-Like spikes instead of Accurail because its more realistic!
Atlas track does that occasionally, with the switches being the most prone. From what I can gather, it is a combination of aging plastic and cumulative physical/ mechanical stress on the plastic "spikes" from running trains, similar to 1:1 rotten ties and loose spikes. Like @prrhorseshoecurve indicates, drill, nail and glue (or put your 1:48 speeder/gangcar/handcar guys to work 
).
Thanks. Since it happened to two switches at the same time I'm wondering if the engine or some of the rolling stock had anything to do with making them both break at the same time. I can't seem to figure out what though.
With aged plastic and long term use, it wouldn't be too difficult for a heavy die cast steamer went through and rolled over the rails- esp a switcher loco with a long wheelbase.
looks to me like a pick -up roller might have dropped down and took out those rails....its happened to me once.
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