I just installed some new Atlas #6 turnouts on my layout. My problem is that the locomotives and cars seem to hit a bumpy spot where the points meet the rail. What to do to smooth that out?
As always thanks in advance
Viper
Commercial turnouts often need adjustments to work efficiently. Among other things, the points rails may need to be tweaked for gauge, but they may also need to have their tips filed more finely. Do they lie properly and snugged against their stock rails? Are the stock rails in gauge about where the points join them?
How about the gauges of the wheel sets…are all axles in gauge? If you establish as a fact all of these things, and your points tips are not sitting above the stock rail surfaces (that would cause a bump as well), you should have good service from them.
Later, you may find that the frogs are also problematic, but we can save that for the eventuality.
Just take your NMRA gauge and run it into the turnout from the point end. If it snags, you’ve found your problem.
Gentle application of a small file or emory stick (the kind the ladies use for shaping their fingernails) will do wonders for blunt-ended or high points.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I assumed that since they were fresh from the factory that they would be in-gauge. AS they say, you know what happens when you assume. I will check as soon as I get home.
I know exactly the problem you are having.
I also have this problem.The “gap” between the frog and the points is too large and the wheels “drop down” into this gap, causing the problem or “bump” as you describe it.
You can cut small strips of styrene about .010 if I recall correctly and glue them into the bottom of the gap and fill it in, until the wheel flanges stop “dropping down”.
It’s a PIA to do it this way, but sometimes it works.
It’s a problem Atlas needs to resolve, but they continue to ignore it.
I will give that a try. Thanks for the information. Is the .010 styrene cut to the width of the gap I will be filling?
Unfortunately, this isn’t the problem he’s talking about. Atlas has a whole new problem with the Mark 4 turnouts. I got a bunch of them for my yard and all of them have the same problem, the stock rail, where the points close against it, is notched. Unfortunately, the notch is too deep and there’s a sideways “bump” with many of my locomtives and cars when they go through in the trailing point direction. I haven’t come up with a fix for this yet, but I’m going to have to work on it, too.