Atlas Mark IV Switches

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi group, Have any of you used the Atlas Mark IV turnout switches?

Did you use them as is, or did you have to power the insulated frog?

I guess the only problem would be if you had a short wheel based loco Ie: switcher?

Thanks,

Paulie

2

I use the Atlas Customline Mark IV turnouts - about 40+ of them. I have not powered the frogs, but all of my engines have ‘all wheel’ pickup. If you have older engines with very small wheelbase, you may need o power the frogs. The same issue exists with Walthers/Shinohara ‘DCC Friendly’ turnouts. Tortoise motors have contacts for powering the frogs.

Jim

3

Paulie

You might want to read http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_atlas_roco.htm by Allan Gartner.

Also, Duncan McRee, writing in the July 2009 issue of Model Railroad Hobbyiest suggested pre-wiring the frog and stock rails (similar to suggestions by Allan Gartner). McRee was actually writing about using servo motors for turnout control.

Alan