I just replaced most of my manual Peco Insulfrog turnouts with Electrofrogs. My DCC sound engines would stall on the frog of Peco Insulfrogs. Now they run great. I have a place where I need to install a couple of remote controlled turnouts (only place on my layout I can’t reach). My thought was to use Atlas code 80 remotes since they are affordable and they cant be seen where Im going to put them and I dont want to mess with under table switch machines. Has anyone used Atlas Code 80 remote turnouts with N scale sound engines? I understand they have a plastic frog like Peco Insulfrogs which makes me hesitate. Thanks for your help
You guessed it…Atlas Snap-Switches will never be an improvement over Peco turnouts,even Insulfrog types.You will still have a dead frog with the same adverse effects.They can work somewhat reliably and are of easier installation.On top of this,they will not fit in place of a Peco TO without some redesign of your track plan to accomodate them…different radiuses and frog angle and they are shorter.
I find strange that you are having problems with Insulfrog type.I’ve used some and never really had any complaint about them.The dead frog does show occasionally with very short locos and others that have faulty current pickup like dirty wheels.With clean moving rail contact,Insulfrog types are fine TO’s to my mind.
If you don’t want to mess with undertable motors and so on,have thought of powering your TO’s from the tabletop.A small push-pull rod linked to the PL10,Tortoise or whatever motor you have will do it.The motor can be hidden inside some sort of building if you don’t want to see it.