I am not a business guru. I do not always understand why certain model railroad companies do certain things. But from a point of logic, why would Atlas produce a code 83 # 6 Super Switch as well as a code 83 # 6 regular turnout. The reason I am asking this is because I am building a new layout with Atlas code 83 track. For example, I would hate to purchase the Super Switch for my layout needs and a few years later Atlas announces that they are discontinuing the Super Switch because of low sales. Why would Atlas do this? I realize the Super Switch does not do good for yard ladders. But why did Atlas do two different types of code 83 # 6 turnouts? Will both sell well enough in the market in the future? Which of these two different types of turnouts will win the battle of longevity? What do you think?
The regular #6 matches the geometry of the code 100 switches.
The Super switch came first, but many customers requested a switch that matched the geometry of the code 100 line. The frogs are the same, and probably the points as well.
The Super switch has the headblocks on both sides, and the diverging route is longer. You probably could replace a Super switch with a regular #6, and fill in a little bit. The Super switch could be trimmed down as well, if you need to do that to get it to fit.
They both have their place in the market.
I agree - both have their place. I have about eighteen of the #505, 506 No. 6 Super Switches and like them. For those of us exclusively using Atlas code 83 flex-track I think they’re better than the Custom Line versions.
I’m using Caboose Industries ground throws, so no need for the Atlas switch machine mounts that come with the Custom Line turnouts anyway. Also, I feel that the tie detail is more accurate on the Super Switches - no need for molded-in mounts when you can use the headblock ties just like the prototype.
Sure, M.E. or Peco’s new 83 line are newer and have fine-scale detail, but I can get my Atlas Super Switches for less than 12 bucks a piece, often less than 10 if I shop around. Try that with Peco or M.E. these days.
As WSOR stated, the Super Switches came out first, when Atlas’ code 83 line was in its infancy and all that was available was flex-track. When the Custom Line track came out, so did the turnouts engineered to the same geometry as the tracitional code 100 line - that way you could build from an Atlas track plan book and do either 100 or 83. Since the tooling was done already, why discontinue the Super Switches?
I hope Atlas keeps the #505-506 turnouts in production, as I like them and feel they are a great value for the price.
dmitzel -Interesting. None of my customline #6’s have a switch machine mount on them.[%-)]
The code 83 switch machines are smaller. They snap in on the straight side. If you look at the ties, a few aren’t full profile, they have a space for the machine to snap into. It is similar to the code 100 system, just lower profile.