in a previous post i asked if anyone used atlas turnouts for On30, i had some positive responses but i searched a bit and havent any how to or discussion on how to do it. im planning to lay my own track soon so id like to gather as much info as possible
On30 runs on HO track, so Atlas turnouts should work. The tie spacing is not correct for O scale, but if you can live with this, it’s up to you. Peco makes turnouts for On30 (they call them for 16mm), and Micro Engineering has recently announced their line should finally be available before too long.
There was an entire report on how a person took a Atlas code 83 turnout and cut all the plastic ties off and converted it to use for On30 with wooden ties. It was on a railroad forum with a number of subforums. This particular forum was dedicated to On30. I can’t remember the name of the forum but someone here will respond. It was a well done description with good pictures. A google search might bring it up if the forum is still around. - Nevin
yup thats what i meant. I mean to use the rail from the turnout and spike it to my own ties…any picture or a link to the forum youre talking about would be great 
The forum is called The Gauge. Go to the main forum labeled Model Railroading and then to the Narrow Gauge Model Railroading subforum and there’s a sub-subforum called On30 Forum. This forum has a LOT of useful information and construction articles about On30.
SINCE turnouts are the main cause of derailments, I would use the word ‘‘unwise’’.
The money you save will be paid for in derailments**.**
http://www.railwayeng.com/turnouts.htm Scroll to On3.
I haven’t been using the cut-away-ties-method on my Atlas T/Os, but have had no problems with derailments.
As I said before, apparently my Snap-Switches didn’t get the memo saying they were supposed to be bad.
And now that they are made without those nasty grommets, so much the better!
Look in here about 6-12 months ago. - Nevin
http://www.railroad-line.com/discussion/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=69
My understanding from what I had read about someone using Atlas turnouts was that they cut out every 3rd or 4th tie,spiked new ties in place and then cut out the remaining ties when all the new ties were in place.Don’t forget about the headblock ties for the switchstand and make sure the new ties are longer than the old ones.Standard ties should be 1 1/4 inches long and then add 1/8 inch for each set of longer ties(1 1/4,1 3/8,1 1/2,etc).
Have a good one.
Bill B
I had to edit the tie lengths here.2 1/2 was more for 1:24 scale.My apologies.
I never said they were 'bad"; however …
They are out of guage (check them), inexpensive, Non prototypical code 100 (160 lb rail), inexpensive, entry level, inexpensive, and too sharp - as you will find out. Did I mention inexpensive?
TRY code 70 (90lb.) rail or code 55 on hand- laid bumpy track.