Watch your step(s).....

Putnam DivisionOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I was starting to go crazy. I love the look of Atlas track. However, I was having trouble with my passenger trains going through Atlas switches. I was very discouraged. Had I chosen the wrong track for my layout? Over the weekend I realized that only Atlas Trainman heavyweights were doing it. MTH and Lionel heavyweights were no problem. I started observing the trains. It never occurred on a straightaway.....only on a curve. Finally, I saw it....the passenger steps are too long/low. When the cars does its ever so small tilt on a curve, it pushes the switch lever (none of my switches are wired as of yet).

The pictures below show a NYC Trainman car compared to a Lionel NYC heavyweight and an MTH NYO&W heavyweight.

What to do?....I'm thinking about making oblong-shaped sheet styrene "washers' to raise the height of the carbody. Anyone notice this problem or have another idea?

Peter

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4/9/123:39 PM

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MrMuffin'sTrainsOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBERFORUM SPONSOR

Dang..... well, if you think you'll use the switch machines electronically, how about clipping off part of those posts?...... or take the switch machine off, if not using them, and use ground throws..... Installing switch machines under the layout would be another option....

4/9/123:43 PM

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ROGERWOGR Forum Member

you can move the switch to the other side of the track. atlas switches are designed to be moved in several different positions..............rogerw.

4/9/123:46 PM

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Former Member

Originally Posted by MrMuffin'sTrains:

I'm like Mr. M If you shave the levers an 1/8 looks like you'd solve your problem.

David

4/9/123:48 PM

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TimboOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Just dremel the bevel of the switch down to a flat plane. It looks like in the photo that you would probably then have sufficient car clearance and would still have enough purchase to throw the switch manually.

4/9/123:48 PM

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Gilly@N&WOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Originally Posted by Timbo:

Just dremel the bevel of the switch down to a flat plane.

Peter, as soon as #2 Son returns my Dremel tool, I'll be happy to stop by to take care of this for you.

Gilly

4/9/123:51 PM

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Alex MOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Hi Peter, I wouldn't touch the passenger car's

I would do what Mr. Muffin said just clip that pin enough so the

step's don't hit. If the pin becomes to short just use a small screwdriver

to flip the switch.

THANKS, ALEX

4/9/123:54 PM

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Mike CTOGR Forum Member

I liked Roger's idea just flip the switch motor 180 degrees.

Usually there are (4) positions that the switch motor can be attached to the throw bar. (2) on the left and (2) on the right. There are two small machine screws that need to be removed and small plastic tabs that may need to be cut off the switch motor. Then you use the large screw mounting holes in the end of the switch motor. The (5) switches shown above have an assortment of different motor locations. I have installed them on the the curved side of the switch with success.

I used the manual lever, that's causing the problem, to attach a connection to an NJ International switch stand.