I like the Atlas code 55 turnouts, but their Achilles’ heel is the flimsy throwbar and the way the points are attached to the throwbar. Design and construction leaves little room for error when drilling a hole for the throw wire to the switch machine, and on more than one occasion I’ve ruined the throwbar.
My standard fix is to replace the throwbar with a strip of .040 x .080 styrene, drill and tap 00-90 holes and secure the points with an 00-90 machine screw. I’ve usually used steel machine screws for this. The other day I picked up brass machine screws because that was all the hobby shop had in stock.
My question: will I get electrolysis problems (or other issues) by using the brass machine screws with the NS track? Thanks for any feedback you can provide!
No.
I have used brass with nickel silver before on turnouts like you and haven’t had a problem. In theory it is possible but not very likely because our railroads are inside. When you ballast, just add some WD-40 around the area.
For my throwbar repairs, instead of styrene, I used printed circuit board material. It is harder.
I’ve also used brass screws (00-90) to fix throwbars on Atlas code 100 NS track and have had no problems. Some of my fixes have been in place for more than 5 years and have been ballasted.
Joe
Elmer and Joe,
Thanks for your responses! I’ll carry on with the brass screws. Elmer, I had heard of using PC board and I can certainly understand that it would be a superior material. The reason I started using styrene is that’s what I had on hand the first time I wanted to make the fix, and I’ve just stuck with that material. So far, it’s worked!
Thanks again.
A friend of mine suffered the same problem whith his code 55 Atlas turnout and it seems this is a currently hazard whith this brand of turnouts.
For safety, we have replaced all the trowbars even on not used turnouts, whith PC board ties from Fastrack.
Fastrack suggest to use N scale PC ties in his fixture ( I personaly use Nscale Fastrack jig for my turnouts)for the trowbar, but I replaced them whith Fastrack HOn3 ties, they are broader and easier to drill and stronger and accept a wire to move the trowbar more easily. They are small and not really out of scale for Nscale.
You can purchase them at www.handlaidtrack.com
The modified turnouts are now nearly bulletproof and are powerd whith Tortoise motor on my friend layout since a few years.
Good luck.
Marc
Nckel Silver and Brass are closely related metals.
Brass is Copper and Zink. Proportions vary depending on the properties desired.
Nickel Silver is Copper, Zink and Nickel. Usually 60% copper, 20% zink and 20% Nickel.
Although not strictly correct, Nickel Silver has often been called a type of Brass.