Atlas Code 83 #4 Turnouts Questions

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Do the Atlas Code 83 switches come with switch machines? Also, what are the quality of them, and what’s your opinion on them?

Thanks in advance!

~Justin

2

You have to buy the switch machine separately. Most people seem to be using Tourtise machines.

3

None of the numbered code 83 Atlas track come with switch machines, but they are available seperately. The quality is good, but with any commercially available trackage, you should invest in an NMRA gauge and make sure everything is on the up and up before installation.

David B

4

I moght be wrong but don’t some of the Atlas switches come with switch machines? Or is it only Code 100 I am thinking of?

5

The quality is absolutely lousy but I just love them; when I bounce one off the head of one of the cats caterwaulling in my back yard the resulting racket gets the attention of every cat in the neighborhood and they immediately head for the south 40.

And G Paine:

Isn’t Tourtise a soup found on a French Menu?

6

You guys are mistaken , you can buy Atlas Code 83 with a turnout, switch machine and switch.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/Code83/540.jpg

…or you can buy them with a manual switch.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/542.gif

or nothing at all

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/561.gif

I use code 83, no issues in my experience. I would recommend it no problem.

I would avoid using this at all costs though.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/Track/Trackphotos/56.GIF

These are famous for sticking closed and burning out your switch machine.

7

Hmmmn. I used those for years and never had a problem.

Since I switched to DCC, though, all my switch machines are controlled through decoders.

8

The first one stuck 1 week after I installed it, it cooks them real good. I thought it was a fluke, but I replaced it anyway. Sometime later a different one stuck. I plan on going to a different switch. BTW I do have them mounted flat on a panel, not on the fascia, perhaps thats the problem.

9

Years ago when I had a layout in my teens, I had about nine of those deployed and in two or three years I did have on fail on me. And it destroyed a switch machine.

After seeing the post above mine, I too had mine mounted flat.

10

You are mistaken, that isnt a number 4 switch…

David B

11

Yep, this is an Atlas code 83 “Snap Switch” … usually people talk about the Atlas code 83 “custom line” turnout which is a #4. They are similar but not quite the same … the Snap Switch is used with the short curve section to complete ovals.