Atlas Turnout Strikes Again!

[CPbuff]

I have a brand new #6 code 100 turnout that I have only run trains over maybe a dozen times in the last year or so , and as I was running my train the loco would stop at this turnout! After lifting the loco out of the way I found that one of the point rails had fallen off and lying on its side!  As I assume the warranty is over I have to repair the point rail!  I think I can dab a drop of solder on the hinge portion of the rail from below? (after completely removing the turnout) hopefully without melting the plastic tie! Then I have to somehow get the tab at the other end to stay in the point rail hole? Any ideas? If this doesnt work I will be changing to another brand!

[richhotrain]

Contact Atlas for a new one, warranty be damned. That shouldn't happen to such a new turnout.

Rich

 

[saronaterry]

Try a drop of CA after you put it back in it's tab. Worked for me.

Terry.

[crossthedog]

richhotrain

Contact Atlas for a new one, warranty be damned. That shouldn't happen to such a new turnout.

Plus one vote, here. I used to get loud and angry about stuff like this, to little avail. Now I call up and act like Forrest Gump, friendly and innocent, just express my dumbfounded mystification about how something like this could happen with a basically new turnout -- "which I really like, by the way", etc -- and wondering what they might do to help me out. Give some beleaguered and underpaid customer service person an opportunity to make your day and they'll jump through hoops. My guess is you get a new one shipped out tomorrow.

Or... you get the stone wall and then you have to send in the Marines. But in my experience it's rare that a reputable company won't want to do the right thing. 

-Matt

 

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

CPbuff

I have a brand new #6 code 100 turnout that I have only run trains over maybe a dozen times in the last year or so , and as I was running my train the loco would stop at this turnout! After lifting the loco out of the way I found that one of the point rails had fallen off and lying on its side!  As I assume the warranty is over I have to repair the point rail!  I think I can dab a drop of solder on the hinge portion of the rail from below? (after completely removing the turnout) hopefully without melting the plastic tie! Then I have to somehow get the tab at the other end to stay in the point rail hole? Any ideas? If this doesnt work I will be changing to another brand!

 

I would love to see a photo or two of the problem.

Sheldon 

[floridaflyer]

Agree with Terry

[CPbuff]

Contacted Atlas this morning, they were more than happy to replace the turnout, I'm mailing back the old one tommorrow and a new one will be sent to for replacement as they also agreed it shouldnt happen! Now it just takes time from Western Canada to New Jersey and back! Oh well its summertime anyway! Thanks for your insight as I never figured they'd do it!

[CPbuff]

First Attempt at adding photos

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak30WMb4zfpAdvOViNXLcJMZzys?e=GHmrCa

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

CPbuff

First Attempt at adding photos

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ak30WMb4zfpAdvOViNXLcJMZzys?e=GHmrCa

 

I don't think that's going to work.

Sheldon

[maxman]

Doesn't add photos, but if you click the link you can see them.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

maxman

Doesn't add photos, but if you click the link you can see them.

 

Did not work for me the first time - working now?

 

 

[maxman]

Yes.

[MidlandMike]

I can link to the photos.  They are on MicroSoft OneDrive.

[The Milwaukee Road Warrior]

There was a thread on this maybe 6 months ago or so.  I've had two Atlas #6 fail in the same way.  Atlas slightly changed the switch rod from the older design.  It was not a change for the better.  The tip off is the color of the switch rod.  Old = black (and thicker to boot), new = brown (and thinner).  The heel point where the closure rail pivots just doesn't hold in place, nor the connection at the switch rod.  I will be sending mine back to Atlas.