Jerking movement through Atlas Switch

[Anonymous]

Hello All,

I've done some searching and can't find the answer...but I'm sure it's been talked about.  It's just a matter of searching for the right keywords. 

Anyway, I'm experiencing some jerky movement, arcing and a temp loss of power when running through an Atlas #7.5 high speed turnout. 

I haven't wired the switch any special way....it's just connected to a straight section I have running down one side of my layout. 

Am I missing something?  I'm going to head over to the Atlas forums to see if I can find anything there.  I have some family coming into town (by the way, I'm getting married this weekend and I know they'll want to see the trains running). 

So if anyone can help...I would really appreciate it.  I know I probably haven't provided enough info.  So if you need more info, please just let me know.

Jerry

[phillyreading]

I don't have any Atlas switches but this sounds like a problem that older Gargraves switches have and that is the power for the center rail is interupted in the switch, power stops at the input side and NO power to either outgoing center rail.  I recommend checking the power at the switch and thru the switch, another possibilty is the locomotive's center rail pickups are spaced too far apart to go thru the Atlas switch.

Every company makes their switches differant from somebody else so what works with Lionel switches won't work with Atlas swithes.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

Lee,

Thanks...I'll look at that.  But it's not just happening when the locomotive(s) are passing through.  For the most part the locomotives don't have the issue.  It appears to happen more when the consist is passing through.  I have a mixture of Lionel, Atlas, MTH rolling stock and the sparking is happening when they are passing through.

Does this make sense?

Jerry

[jefelectric]

I have #5s & 056 Atlas switches on half of my layout and have not had a problem.  I do know that the #7s have had some problems.  Threads on both the Atlas & OGR forums have discussed this problem in depth.  Don't recall a lot on this forum, but it may have been discussed here.

[Anonymous]

Hi John,

I've searched OGR and either I'm not searching using the right keywords or I'm not reading through all the threads.  I tried searching Atlas and received errors on search and finally gave up.  I'm not sure if their site was having issues...I'll check again later.

Jerry

[Anonymous]

I found a couple of threads over on OGR that talked about issues with the #7 turnouts.  It specifically mentioned the switches having deadspots, but seemed to be geared towards issues with getting locomotives to successfully cross them.   I don't have an issue with any of my locomotives.  They all seem to cross just fine.  This includes Lionel, Atlas and MTH locos. 

I guess I'm just wanting clarification (and a little help) making sure of what my issue really is before I get in too deep with modifying the turnouts. 

For clarification....(I don't think I mentioned it) but I only have this issue when crossing the switch into the turnout portion.  If I'm moving my consist across the straight portion I have no issues.  I'm using two # 7 turnouts connected together to form a parallel track of sorts (inner loop/outer loop).  I plan to place the same config on the other side of my layout in the opposite direction so that I can move trains from the inner loop onto the outer loop. 

Like I said...my locomotives cross the turnout just fine.  I did some additional testing and disconnected my rolling stock from my locos and just moved them across the turnout by hand.  I can move a single car just fine without it sparking and tripping my power.  however, it's when I have more than one car crossing the turnout that the issue occurs.  It's as if the wheels are some how shorting out something.

Sorry for the long winded explanation. 

Jerry

[phillyreading]

From what you are describing it sounds like a relay is getting stuck or you are experiancing the problems with Lionel's 027 switch solenoids.  The problem with the 027 switches is just like what you are mentioning, works fine for the first one or two cars or loco then sparks as more go thru the switch. For now is there any way to seperate power from the solenoid to the track?

Bob Nelson may be able to advise you on what to do to cure that problem.

Lee F.

[Anonymous]

Hi Lee,

Thanks...but I'm not running Lionel 027 Switches. 

So I isolated the two Atlas 7.5 turnouts and it's still doing the same thing. 

Anybody???  Help!!!! 

Jerry

[lionelsoni]

Are there any rail gaps near the turnout, other than those in the turnout itself?

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to let everyone know.  I fixed the issue with a 1 cent piece of black electrical tape cut about 1/8" wide and 1 1/2" long and place it on the inside of the center rail just where it meets the plastic section of the turnout. 

Thanks to all who offered up suggestions.  I'll keep that roll of tape handy for future issues.

Jerry