I bought some new-in-the-blister-pack Atlas #4 Customline turnouts quite a wile back, not sure of the date. The underside of them has MADE IN CHINA 1997, so I assume they were made a long time ago. However, I did buy them new in preparation for a “retirement” layout. I am building said layout, and find that all four of the Atlas Custom-Line #4 turnouts (2 Lefts, 2 rights) have a bow in the middle of the straight route. The bow starts around where the closure rails meet the point rails, and extends to around the frog. It is quite challenging to try to lay a left/right pair frog to frog (the divergent routes cross with an Atlas 25º crossing) and have them look right, forget mechanically sound. I seem to remember reading about this issue years ago, but can’t find the messages again (perhaps I am not using the correct terms to Google it). Does anyone here remember this issue? I emailed Atlas, but they haven’t replied. I have emailed them before about other issues, and they usually are pretty good about replying. BTW, I did NOT have this “bowing” issue with the #6’s, wyes or # 8’s, nor the Super Switches.
Another issue I found is that the Atlas under table switch machines (bothe the one with relay and one without) don’t seem to throw the points of the Atlas Custom-Line #8 turnout a sufficient amount to completely close the points in both directions of travel. If you measure the distance between the stock rails and point rails of the #8, it is greater than the Atlas Custom-Line #4 & #6, as well as the #6 Super Switch. I thought this may be the issue, and wrote Atlas. They offered to replace the switch machine. Not really a fix as I have 10 of them and they all do the same thing.
Has anyone else had these issues (or NOT had these issues with the items mentioned)?
This issue is very common and usually easy to fix. Turn the tie strip between the points and frog into flex track by cutting through the webbing between the ties. If you have a cutoff wheel in a motor tool you can make quick work of it, otherwise you can use a razor saw and/or knife to create small gaps. Once you have the gaps cut, the ties and rails can be carefully straightened.
As to the switch machines: The turnouts must be properly mounted and the throw bars must move smoothly without any resistance for the switch machines to work properly.
Ensure that your access hole under the throw bar is large enough and that the switch machine is firmly mounted. A too small hole (I use 1/2") or any movement of the switch machine mounting will cause big problems.
Depending on what your base material is mounting the machines can be a problem. My table is ply-wood and mounting the machines with screws was problematic. I settled on double sided tape and have never had a problem.
With free motion on the throw bars and solidly mounted switch machines you should have no trouble.
Thanx for the info Rob. Right after I posted that message, I did what you describe (I remembered reading about it, but not all the details). I only did the straight stock rail and I was able to staighten the turnout out considerably, though not 100% straight. I may do the other rail later if things don’t line up when I lay the track.
Do you know if this issue was ever resolved? I would have thought Atlas would have just emailed me back to perform this procedure. Do you know if current production turnouts still bow?
Thanx Allan, but I did check throw bar motion and clearance in the actuator rod hole. The throwbar moved flawlessley (even after the machine was mounted, I could manually move the points from one position to the other with no resistance). The actuator never hit the subroadbed, roadbed or anything else.
I have 1/2" plywood subroadbed with 3/16" (HO) cork roadbed. I had no problem using small wood screws to mount the machines. I started all holes with a self driving punch (one of those Micro Mark specialty tools that are so helpful).
Have you actually used these switch machines with Atlas #8 turnouts? I ask because I have used the switch machines with other Atlas products (#4, #6, Wyes and Super Swith #6) with no problems. But I could not get them to work with a #8. Further investigation showed the throw distance on the #8 is greater than the other turnouts. Just curious. I ended up using Tortoise swith motors and had no problems.
I have used the Atlas Switch Machines with Snap switches, #4 and #6 turnouts but, not with #8s. I’ll have to read the posts more carefully in the future.
I can’t really help with the number 8 turnouts with Atlas machines, as I prefer Tortoises anyway… Less speed, so more prototypical, as I have never seen a prototype switch points be thrown into place with a snap… And, as you found out, they work just fine with almost all turnouts.
Yes, little more cost, but, reliable operation in (almost) all circumstances is important. (Is it actually all circumstances???)
I’ve found the same problem with other turnout brands too, as well as Atlas code 83. It seems to vary in severity between individual turnouts, so maybe the manufacturers try to control it as best they can with uneven success. I haven’t purchased any turnouts for a few years now, so if Atlas has really addressed the crooked tie strips it would be news to me.
Actually, so do I (prefer Tortoise). The thing is I bought about 10 or 12 of the Atlas under table switch machines a few years ago (I have this “Try everything once” defect in my approach to my train hobby), and I wanted to see how they mounted & operated. So I had this crossover planned for my layout, and I had a couple Atlas #8’s on hand, so I thought I would check it out. As it turned out the entire idea was bogus (the #8’s were too long for the space I had and introduced an S curve). I then tried #6’s and they worked fine. Then I put on my scientist hat and figured out WHY! As near as I can tell it’s because the #8’s require more throw distance than the Atlas under table machines have. This may well be because Atlas introduced the #8’s years after the machnes were first offered. One of those unintended consequences I suppose.
Anyway, I have become proficient at installing Tortoises now, and since I bought most of them when they were only about 12 bucks, the cost is comparable to the Atlas machines. No slam on Atlas intended though, they got (and continue to get I think) a lot of us into this hobby. My first few layouts had those huge trackside machines… even those have gotten way smaller and not such an eyesoar.
Mikey
Happily modeling the Canadian National in Louisiana before it really got there.