What to do with atlas undertable switch machines?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

A number of years ago I purchased several Atlas under-table switch machines but never installed them… Do they have any value or are they well beyond their expiration date?

2

They don’t go bad just sitting. They should work like new. I’ve used them for 30 years and I only started having failures about 4 years ago so 25 years or so isn’t bad in my books.

Because there is over 1½” between the switch machine and the moving tie they never worked as well I would have liked, they aren’t designed for that much throw arm. I had to modify them with a longer throw arm.

I went with Peco PL-10 switch machines for replacements. That requires modifying the Atlas turnouts but they work much better for me.

https://melvineperry.blogspot.com/2015/01/january-10-2015-turnout-modification.html

Mel

3

Thanks for your reply Mel. The 20 plus year old switch machines are in original boxes and in a dry environment. I would guess they would still work well as the under table ones usually do… I don’t read any chatter of people using them as the newer alternatives work better and can be controlled by DCC or the manual ones work well like caboose hobbies and are cheaper. My layout has 1-inch foamboard on top 3/8 inch plywood which is not conducive using them without significant effort.

Given the challenges with using the UT switch machines, can a person in good conscience sell them cheap or even give them away? That’s really my question…

4

on the auction site , they go for ten to fifteen dollars each …in new or good used condition …

5

I’ve been able to easily sell off my stock of used ones on eBay. I sold them in bunches (5-8 or so) instead of individually. I didn’t make a bunch of money off them, but it was better than tossing them in the trash. Apparently some people still use them and are willing to pay for them.

6

When I started my first HO scale layout back in 2004, I bought a dozen Atlas Under Table Switch Machines. I hated them so I replaced them with Tortoises. Easily sold the Atlas machines on eBay for nearly what I paid for them.

Rich

7

I still use them on the layout. Some are from the ‘yellow box’ era and there’s nothing wrong with them. Most things (not all) after time may fail, and I always have extra on hand.

8

I had Atlas machines, the above-table type, on my first HO layout about 60 years ago. I salvaged them for my current layout and those old things still function as designed.

Since the machines are the same technology as today’s under-table machines, I would expect them to still work fine.