im needing to use some walthers curved turnouts with atlas track. code 83. will this work? this will be dc for now. thanks…
fluff, the Walthers Shinohara Code 83 curved turnouts work quite nicely with Atlas Code 83 flex track and sectional track. I have a few of the WS curved turnouts on my layout built with Atlas flex track. No problem.
Rich
I did this with my recent 5’ x 10’ HO layout, Atlas flextrack code 83 with Walther Shinohara DCC friendly turnouts (no’s 5, 6, 8 and 7-1/2 curved, and a 3-way). As others here advised, the Atlas has thicker ties, by 0.015" or so (maybe 0.017") as the Atlas was made to be compatible with their code 100 track ties, as I remember(??). Anyway, the W-S turnouts need a shim of about 0.15". I was laying on cork,gluing the track with latex caulk, though that may not matter.
Others suggested that the shim could be either 0.015" styrene sheet, or the cardboard of the W-S turnout box. I ordered some sheet styrene, but instead tried and used the box cardboard shim, first spraying on both sides with clear laquer so it will not swell when wet by ballasting. It was quite easy, just draw the turnout ties layout on the cardboard, paint it if you like to provide as non-white background under your future ballast, and latex glue the turnout shim. I cut the shim into two pieces, leaving a gap under the throwbar to provide wiggle room. I did wire my frogs, so I had to slice an “X” hole for the frog wire to go through the cardboard.
Anyway, it’s pretty easy and I am glad I put the priority on selecting the flextrack and turnout line I wanted and addressing the shim issue for the turnouts. Not a big deal.
As an aside, I’ve commented routinely that I regret using the Atlas code 83 90 degree crossings, as they are not made properly. The flex is fine (unless one prefers another brand for detail differences, etc) but if I do this again there will be no Atlas crossings.
I have also used numerous Walthers DCC friendly code 83 turnouts ov various sizes (including curved T/O’s) with Atlas code 83 flex track with no problems whatsoever. Being basically lazy I have not done any shimming other than deal with uneven roadbed. No problems here, either.
thanks for the quick replys
just wanted to be sure because they are expensive like everything else. im working on an around the walls with narrow shelves, and these will help on space…thanks again
It’s a shame that a company like ATLAS with YEARS of experience can’t maintain a supply of products like #4,#6 and #8 turnouts…makes me wonder about their leadership or lack of !!!
I seem to recall one of the Atlas factories was severely damaged by an earthquake or fire or some other “natural” disaster. This would have an adverse effect on the supply line. It might be well to cut Atlas some slack.
But,this track shortage isn’t anything new…Its been dragging on and on and on with no end in sight…
I have never shimmed the turnouts either.
As someone else pointed out though, you really need to be certain to stabilize a curved turnout by providing a solid base.
Rich