Atlas Custom-Line Turnout - Flipping the throwbar?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

In HO, I’m using Atlas C83 Custom-Line turnouts and Caboose Industry 202S ground throws. I’ve got my staging done and this combination works great for me. In the next section of the layout I have some places where I’d like the ground throw on the other side of the turnout.

I did some forum searching and found an old post where a gentleman says one can release the points from the throwbar with a small screwdriver, remove the throwbar and put it back in through the other side. Looking at a turnout, it seems easy enough but before wrecking a turnout I thought I should ask the experts. Anyone have any experience with this, any advice to share?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

2

Wow, it’s been a long time since someone called me a gentleman. [swg]

It’s an easy swap, and I do it frequently, on my C100 turnouts. You’ll probably have to be a tad more gentle with the C83 ones. Depending on how “bendy” the tabs are, you might have to add a drop of CA to secure the points back to the throw bar. I’ve found on some of the newer (Chinese) ones the tabs don’t reseat quite right.

Nick

3

I’ll have to admit to a less subtile approach to the same problem. I simply snip the throwbar off about even with the adjacent ties and move it to the other side, attaching with CA using a thin flat metal ‘connector’ as a base under the two joined pieces. The metal piece is one of those whatchamacallits (spade connectors ?) that often come with Atlas Snap Switches to connect the switch to the turnout electric terminals.

This way you don’t have to tinker with the attachemnt of the points to the throwbar and risk bending or breaking something.

Works for me and is quick and easy.

4

I also have done it on several of my code 100 Customline turnouts. I learned how from this forum. I gently popped the one tab off the throwbar and then the other, slid out the throwbar and slid it back from the other side. Worked very well. There is enough give that I didn’t bend anything. Just be gentle. Took me about a minute. Thanks again to all of you who give advice on this forum. I have learned a lot just from reading everyone’s posts. You have made my hobby a lot more enjoyable!

5

I do it all the time (well not ALL the time- sometimes I run trains), and haven’t damaged one yet.

I use my fingernail or thumbnail instead of a screwdriver though, it gived better control, and lessens the likelihood of bending too far.

Basically hold one point rail to one side, slip your nail under the plastic “ear” on top of the other point rail, and push it to the outside.

It’s tight, but there is just enough clearance to slip the throwbar down and out of the way, so you can do the other side.

6

Well, you may not be a gentleman, but you sure made my day! A couple minutes with a small screwdriver and I just removed and re-inserted the throwbar - easily, no CA, no problems.

Thanks again to all you guys who are so willing to share your time and expertise.