Hi guys,
We recently received a bunch of new production Atlas Code 83 Customline #4 turnouts and we have noticed a problem. The through route stock rail has a bend in it. This is apparently not an isolated incident. We just bought more than 30 turnouts and they all have the same problem.
I took this with my iPhone so the picture clarity is not great, but I think you can see the bend in the through route stock rail:
Has anyone else noticed this?
The track where we are using the new turnouts isn't operational yet but we have been able to run a few cars through the defective turnouts without any problems. Where things go wrong is when you are trying to build a ladder. The through routes will not line up in a straight line. With left handed turnouts, each turnout in the ladder forces the next turnout through route to curve a bit to the right.
We haven't tried straightening the stock rails yet because we can see that causing a whole raft of problems with rail spacing etc. We are going to run them as is for now. If they cause problems we will be back to square 1.
I'm going to contact Atlas to see if they are aware of the problem, and I will let you know what they have to say.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I've had a bunch of Atlas turnouts with this same issue. It's very easy and quick to address.
The whole problem is with the tie strip between the heel of the points and the frog. I use a motor tool with a cutoff disk to slice through the underside of the tie strip, cutting the web between ties. Start on the frog side of the heel of the points, just beyond where the metal plate is located at the pivot. Keep going until you're a tie or two short of the frog, so you don't cut through any jumpers that are embedded under the rails.
Put the turnout on a flat surface and flex it to straighten the rails.
That's it. It takes less than a minute per turnout. Get them all out of the packaging and modify them at once.
Crooked tie strips aren't unique to Atlas, as I've encountered them with other brands as well. The process to correct them is basically the same.
JC Turnouts 2 by wp8thsub, on Flickr
JC Turnouts 2
Here's one end of my major yard. Every one of these Atlas 83 turnouts had the crooked tie strip out of the package, so they were all modified as I described above. That allowed me to create straight ladders with no gauge problems whatsoever.
Rob Spangler
Hey Rob!
Thanks for sharing your solution. I believe I understand where to cut the ties so we will give it a try.
wp8thsubI use a motor tool with a cutoff disk to slice through the underside of the tie strip, cutting the web between ties.
I've made similar modifications to Shinohara turnouts but I simply used the # 17,square-end chisel X-acto blade to push through the little plastic "connector".
Lay the turnout on a good, flat solid surface. I would still mention it to Atlas. It's a shame you have to repair brand-new turnouts
Cheers, Ed
This minor problem goes back a long time with the Atlas code 83 #4, I personally have never seen it on their other sizes.
As others have indicated, it is an easy fix.
I only use #4's for industrial trackage now, but I did build a yard once and easily fixed about 20 of them.
Sheldon
I've never bought an Atlas code 83 #4, but I've noticed very slight bends in some of my Atlas code 83 #6 turnouts. I've been able to pull the slight bend out and old them in place straight by spiking them down.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Geez, this thread has got me to wondering. I have a boat load of Atlas Custom Line #6 turnouts and more than a few Atlas Custom Line #4 turnouts. I have never noticed such imperfections. Not saying that they are not there, I just never have noticed them if they are there.
Rich
Alton Junction
All the ones I used more than 10 years ago (2 layouts ago) were like that. So it has nothing to do with their change in manufacturing plants. They worked fine, even with that bend in them. Yes, ALL, 100% of the ones I bought were like. The #6's were fine, none of them had the issue.
I bought new for my previous layout, the one in a bedroom. That layout was ALL #4s, and once again 100% of them had that bend. Seems to be just the way they are.
I always sight down the track to make sure it all lines up, nothing beats the old Mark 1 Eyeball, so I have always noticed this in the turnouts.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Dave at Atlas is very responsive and thorough. I have complete confidence that he can help address the issue. The matter reminds of a QC issue I experienced on Atlas #8 turnouts. It required using a dremel to cut one part of the track to create an isolated portion.
Please keep us informed. I've not encountered such an issue. Of cousre I am far from lucky with turnouts. Ugh!
kasskaboose Dave at Atlas is very responsive and thorough. I have complete confidence that he can help address the issue. The matter reminds of a QC issue I experienced on Atlas #8 turnouts. It required using a dremel to cut one part of the track to create an isolated portion. Please keep us informed. I've not encountered such an issue. Of cousre I am far from lucky with turnouts. Ugh!
What kind of problem did you have with the #8's? I have not had any issues?
One of our members has been able to correct the problem by putting a couple of extra spikes in the turnouts. I'll be able to give better details after I go to the club on Tuesday. I want to put a track gauge on them to see if the track spacing is still correct after the adjustment.
Thanks guys,
Every Atlas 83 turnout I've seen has that. It doesn't seem to have any effect on performance that I have seen and it is barely perceptable when laid and balasted.