I need some advice. Has anyone used the Atlas under-the-table switch machine for their turnouts? From the small picture I have in a catalog, it doesn’t appear to operate all by itself without being wired to another device. How does this thing operate? Is it reliable? How does it compare with, say, the “Tortoise” slow switch machine?
After I pay $4.39 for one, how much more will it cost me to make it completely operational?
Please advise and thanks.
JP
You really don’t need much more other than the proper wire and some kind of switch to operate it. Essentially, you run a postive and negative and common ground. I operate mine with Kadee push buttons mounted into schematics in my control panels. You will need two buttons for each (except at crossovers where you can use three buttons for the two turnouts) - one to operate the thru route and one for the diverging. More simply, you can use Atlas’ own switches to operate the machines (I forget what they are called) and I’m sure the directions walk you through the whole process.
I’m not an electrician but I highly recommend a capacitor - maybe somone on the list can remember the brand. The reason is because the Atlas machines are solinoid (sp?) motors that are prone to burning out if you hold the button in too long. The capacitor is essentially like the device that works the flash on your camera. It allows a quick burst of power and no more until it stores up more (it’s very quick) saving your machines from the constant power that can burn them up. It’s worth the $25 and it will serve your whole layout - I run almost 40 off of the same one.
As far as realism goes, I actually like the Atlas machines. A RR engineer/friend once told me that prototype switches on some lines actually throw very quickly and definitively resembling the action of an Atlas machine.
Hope that helps.
Dan
John,
Scroll down to “switch machines under the table” you might find something there that applies to your problem
regards
Rudy
Thanks, Dan. Great information and will be very useful. Hope I can recipricate sometime.
John
Well, Yes Rudy, Had I done that I know see I could find what I need to know. Your answers were good. I also have the MR article somewhere and that should also help. I am about to purchase at least a dozen of the Atlas under the table switch machines and just want to be sure I know how much more I will need to spend to make them operational. Thanks.
John
That’s re-assuring. Can you tell me approximately what it will cost me to get one operational after I have purchased just the switch machine? This will determine whether I can afford as many as you have.
Thanks Gerald.
Thanks. I understand the Tortise is also a good one and will probably look into going with one or two of those as well. But they are a bit pricey if you have to buy several.
Yes John I have 51 of them and I fine them very reliable.
There is one hidden cost that you may need to pay if you have Atlas or other turnouts with powered frogs. Atlas sells a Snap-Relay that is basically a switch machine that works in tandem with your switch. This has contacts that route power to the frog, depending on the position of the switch. You can use one relay to power two switches if you operate both together, as in a cross over. I even have a double crossover with one relay providing power routing for all 4 frogs.
However, buying two items for a single switch is kind of expensive, so I bought Tortoise machines for some other switches. I know, why not keep all the same? But, the Tortoise has contacts built in to the switch, something that Atlas should have done, but maybe was constrained by their design? Anyway, my Tortoise machines are not yet installed, so I can’t attest to their relative qualities vs. Atlas. I hear they are nice…
Dean
Where can you buy these @ $4.39? List price is $6.95. that’s what I pay for them.
Pete
$4.50 from http://www.trainworld.com/
order on 1-800-541-7010 (quick service too)
I did see that $4.39 but I forget where
Cid
I saw them in the latest Model Railroader listed under the ads for Standard Hobby Supply. You will have to pay freight and handling ($9.00), but if you are buying other stuff as well from Standard, it seems worth it.
“Cid” may have found something a bit better…see his reply under yours.
John
I got them from Internet trains for $4.39 ea.