Hello everyone,
Has anyone used Shinahara code 100 curved turnouts with Atlas Under the table switch machines. While I enjoy the Peco turnouts, the radius off the outer track is a bit too large for the area I have them in. Looking at the Shinahara, they look like they will do the trick. However, I don’t use Tortoise as I have ennough Atlas remotes to last me a life time.
If anyone has success with using them, I would like to know…
Thanks to all who reply.
Neal
Over the years I’ve tried several curved Shinohara code 100 turnouts, for me it’s Peco. I also use the Atlas under the table switch machines on Atlas turnouts at maximum throw length, some with extensions. I tried using the Atlas switch machine on Pico turnouts but prefer the Pico PL-10 for my Picos. I had so many problems with the Shinohara turnouts they have all gone to the County Landfill.
Edit:
If I need another curved turnout in the future I’m going to give the new Atlas a shot.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad &nbs
I use Shinohara switches. I don’t use the under table switch machines but I use the table top Atlas switch machine. I had to add an extension to the throw arm. Seems the Shinoharas have a longer throw.
I use code 83 Shinohara curved turnouts, driven by Tortoise machines.
I have 2-inch foam as a base for my layout. My issue with the Atlas under-table machines is the short throw rod. It’s only an inch long, and is not terribly stiff. Some people have tried extending it, but no one has been happy with this approach to my knowledge.
With a slightly longer and stiffer wire, the Tortoise works great.
I figured out how to extend my Atlas throw arms doubling their length. It required making a tool to drill a hole through the throw arm and insert a steel wire. I successfully installed a longer arm in three Atlas #65 switch machines and they have worked flawlessly for several years.
My reasoning for lengthening the Atlas switch machine throw arm was they just barely made it to my Atlas turnouts when I originally installed them 28 years ago. After 20 some odd years I had three turnouts fail from heavy use. When I was trying to replace them it was impossible for me to hit the hole in the new turnout, the throw arm was too short.
I drilled a #56 hole through the Atlas throw arm and extended it with .047” music wire. The music wire fits snug in the #56 hole and doesn’t need any adhesive.
I extended the rod one inch to make it si
All of my Shinohara code 100 is in my storage/staging yard and I use the above ground Atlas machines because appearance is not important there. I make my own linkage using plastic channel stock. Some of my Shinohara turnouts throw bars have too much friction for the relatively weak Atlas switch machines to throw so I have some slow motion switchmaster machines which are lots of torque.
I also use Atlas switch machine with Shinohara switches. I also found that the Shinohara throw bars are stiff. I fixed the switches buy inserting a piece of paper under the switch near the throw bar. This prevents the throw bar from dragging on the roadbed.
Thanks for the feedback. Once Walthers gets their curved code 100 turnouts back in stock, I will try them with the Atlas switch machines.
Neal