So I am an HO modeller by choice, but my son has decided to build a small N scale layout in his bedroom. We are having an issue with the Atlas turnouts, in fact both of the ones we have tried.
What happens is this, if the turnout is set to the through route (straight) everything works just fine. It the turnout is set to the diverging route there is a tendency for loco wheels to seemingly catch on the through point and force the loco to run straight.
Now we don’t own an NMRA N standards gauge yet, but have one on order, so the first thing I will do is to check the wheel gauge and the various tolerances on the turnout when it arrives.
However, I have observed when comparing the Atlas turnout to some used Peco code 80 turnouts that we have, that the gap between the thrown point and the stock rail is much less on the Atlas than on the Peco. The same locos run just fine through the Pecos.
So my question is this, is what I am observing with the Atlas turnouts typical? Are they known to be less tolerant to wheel gauge issues?
Sounds like the loco is ‘picking the points’. Atlas turnouts are well known for doing this and the recommended practice is to tune up the points.
The ends of the moveable points need to be filed on the inside to reduce the thickness at the ends of the points. Then very lightly file a tiny 45 degree angle on the upper edge of the point. Check the stock rail. You may need to file the notch in the stock rail a bit deeper.
While you’re doing that, check the hinges on the points. Sometimes these get a little loose and allow the point rails to wiggle or rock back and forth.
Use a continuity tester to check continuity through the turnout. Make sure you operate the points when testing to be sure that voltage flows properly all the time. You may need to add small jumpers from the stock rails to the point rails and it’s easier to do that when the turnout is on the workbench.
Finally, make sure the grooves in the frog are free of flash or debris and the same for guardrail to stock rail clearances. Without a gauge, it might be hard to tell if you have proper clearance but you should be able to note any obstructions that are present.
Hope this helps.
Darrell, quiet…for now
Darrell, thanks so very much for the suggestions. I am travelling the early part of this week, but will make a point of giving a switch the once over to get it tuned up when I get back. I am determined that Crispy’s layout have perfect running track.
I thought I had the same problem. After a number of hours on the phone with Atlas a few years back, and finally getting the NMRA gauge (at their suggestion), it turned out that more than a few locos and rolling stock wheels sets were out of gauge.The switches checked out fine.
The locos were “adjusted” and the rolling stock wheels were either tweaked or were replaced with Atlas’s (MT) plastic wheels and guess what - no more problems. (And no, plastic wheels do NOT "dirty the track.)
In all fairness, I did find one or two switches that needed a slight touch up, and I used a cordless, low speed Dremel tool with a grinding stone and a touch or two dies it. (Understand that the cordless Dremel is a low speed tool.)
Archer
Well, I got my NMRA gauge and made sure all the wheels were good. I was still getting all kinds of derail problems. The issue is that the point rails have so much slop in them that in the case of one of them, it actually twists slightly when it is pulled to the closed position. This catches a wheel set and causes the derail. In the end I think I have solved it with a bit of CA glue to secure the point rails more firmly to the throw bar. I’ll be installing them on the sons layout tomorrow and will see how they work in situ.