I “acquired” an n scale layout from a club member and was doing some wiring rationalisation under the layout (it was a nightmare), then made a bit of a noobie mistake. after rewiring the electric switch on an atlas turnout, I found it was stalled… I then, yes, you guessed it…took the top off the turnout motor. lacking robotic tweezer digits, theres no way I am getting that back together in this lifetime. I was wondering if just the motor part can be replaced without replacing the entire turnout. Also… is there an economical way to a) replace the somewhat flakey atlas turnout switches, b) replace those above bench turnout motors with below bench ones?
My phrasology might be bad there…but hopefully yall get the idea.
Next, I don’t know if you will have any luck fixing the turnout motor.
I replaced several N Atlas turnouts with Piko turnouts. It was not easy. I cut the old turnouts out. I then drilled holes where the under-bench turnout motors would go. I installed the new turnouts and motors.
As I said, it was not easy, but also needed to be done.
yah, I dont want to replace the turnouts themselves, but am definitely open to changing the motor out on this one, or having a recommended solution to introducing more robust mechanisms to switch these turnouts… This is a 12’ x 4’ layout thats all fully landscaped and the track itself is exceptional, so replacing the turnouts is really not a viable option. just the noobie error of opening the cover on the turnout motor was … not a good move