UPDATE - NEW ATLAS No. 5 TURNOUT ARRIVES

Any chance you could post pictures of the changes?  Thanks!

Jan

Here you go. Seriously, does anyone know if the metal frog piece somehow alleviates the need for the 6924 gizmo?

Peter,

I think that both changes will help.  The heavier buss wires should carry any current asked of them.  This is the second upgrade to this feature.  I hadn't heard of any reported problems.  The metal extension is electrified (you can see it in the underside photos).  Atlas first added a plastic ram to keep the rollers from catching between the center rails. The powered metal extension accomplishes that but will also supply power through most of the switch.  People currently are switching power to the inactive rail to reduce the unpowered gap.  The new center rail reminds me of the old Lionel 022 switches.

I wonder if all the newly delivered switches have these features.

Jan

May I ask where you ordered these from? I have need two # 5's for a few years now and am eager to purchase them.

Now that Atlas is finally producing/shipping switches again--and considering the design enhancements/improvements they vowed to make to them to address the known issues--I really hope the folks at OGR will consider doing a product review in an upcoming issue of the Magazine!

Many of us have been waiting a LONG time for Atlas to get back in the track/switch business.  It would be great to see a thorough review of their "new" offerings!

In the meantime, Peter, it would be much appreciated if you would share your thoughts/observations about your new #5 after you put it into service.

Jan - thanks!  I didn't see that screw from the copper rod into the frog piece at first.  And, I found my multimeter, hooked up power and voila the frog metal piece is electrified. 

Ron - I didn't buy it. Long story short, I bought an Atlas no. 5 turnout that was warped.  Gave it back to Atlas at the West Springfield show (3 shows ago!) and they said they would send a replacement when the replacement was available. This turnout came directly from Atlas as the replacement. 

Joe A - will do.

Peter

Update - 

I did a comparison by running my latest purchase - the Legacy ESE set - through the diverging leg of a No.5 turnout with the plastic frog area and the new one with the metal frog area.  

• Plastic frogged turnout - running in forward, the ESE locomotive craps out at speed step 24.  It might fail at an even higher speed step, I just didn't check it.  

• New turnout - ran smoothly in forward and reverse at speed step 6.  At SS 5 - went through in forward ok once, crapped out thrice (twice in reverse, once in forward). 

On balance, I would say this is a significant improvement!