Atlas Switchest Care and Maintenance

[Anonymous]

I am going through alot of switches. They seem very delicate and the slightest problems causing them to break (usually the switching arm will come undone or the switch track is not properly aligned). Are they any hint to caring and maintaining this switches? Are they heavier duty switches available for Code 83 track?

Thanks
Bill

[simon1966]

I use PECO code 100 and have not had a single failure. I think that PECO makes a code 83 as well.

[cacole]

The only cure for Atlas switches seems to be, use a better quality product such as a Peco. Atlas switches have always been very cheaply made as compared to other brands.

I have not had any of the problems you describe, however, with the Atlas turnouts that I installed on the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's HO-scale layout. Your problems could be traceable to the swtich motors that you are using. Don't use Atlas or any other type of twin-coil switch machine with them, because the rivets used in the assembly of Atlas turnouts cannot withstand the shock caused by these motors. All of the Atlas turnouts I use have either a Caboose Industries sprung ground throw or a Tortoise or SwitchMaster stall-motor switch machine, depending on whether or not I can reach them for hand throwing. A twin-coil switch machine throws the turnout too violently for the rivets to withstand very many activations.