I'm gathering items to start my layout, and have a bunch of atlas track and switches. Was planning on using tortise switch machines but then ran across a good deal on Atlas under the table switch machines (which I didn't even know existed) and was wondering if they were any good.
Any opinions out there?
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My opinion is that Tortoise machines are the best out there.
I also vote for Tortoise
clem
Make it 3 for Tortoise machines....Greg
I guess it depends on how good a deal you're getting and what you want to do with them. I have about 20 or so that work well. I am controlling them with SC-2s and use the aux contacts for my signaling. They can be a bit fussy to set up and some seem to work better than others. Alignment is critical and you will get a weak/short throw with bad alignment. The spring action/anti derail relies on good alignment too due to it being dependent on the torsional attributes of the throwbar.
I have replaced a few with NJI twin coils on Rix Rax mounts but the aux contacts are a bit weak. These work well with the SC-2s. You can find these for $5-6 apiece on eBay from time to time.
Add to Norm's comment, The Atlas 6924 relay boards, (associated with their switch motors, requires additional purchase), solve a lot of the problems, including the temperamental spring loaded non-derail.
Tortoise switches are slow-motion movement, (compared to snap-action (Atlas) switch motors), you may find that adding non-derail, requires a little further back, from the switch, with the input rails. IMO.
The Atlas machines are junk We tried them and the Tortoises put them to shame
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