I just came across a large number of Atlas No. 6 switches at a good price and couldn’t pass them up. My layout as-is, however, uses mostly No. 4s. The biggest disadvantage to me is the extra length of the straight track on the No. 6 switches. While playing with them, however, I figured that if I were to cut off the extra straight track on each No. 6 until about 1/4" up from the frog, the switch would only be just a little longer than a No. 4.
The question is, would there be a downside to modifying the switches like this? It seems there would still be enough space for another switch added to the cut straight track to move. (I’ve put in a picture in case I can’t explain this well enough.)
Has anyone tried this? Is it even a good idea? Thanks before hand.
It should work. I’ve done it for Shinohara with no problems. Can’t see why atlas would be any different. You may want to substitute a few long ties for visual effect.
Atlas turnouts provide electrical continuity through jumpers to get around the plastic frogs. Depending on where you make the cuts, you may have to add a feeder to that short section of rail beyond the frog. Of course, you can never have too many feeders anyway.
Shouldn’t be any problem. Go down to Janesville, and look at some of the switches in the WSOR yard. The points are close to the frog of the next switch.
Take a look how the tracks are aligned as well. There is a little curve after the switch area, then the yard tracks straighten out. That allowed them to use bigger number switches than what would have fit with just straight rail off the frog.
