cordonI have bought some "make-before-break" 4-pole, triple-throw rotary switches from Mouser Electronics to operate my Atlas turnouts, including powering the frog and indicator lights without a relay or changing to Tortoise.
Unfortunately, recent testing revealed that I have to rotate the rotary switches very slowly to make a pulse long enough to move the Atlas turnout reliably. I will probably return to 4-pole, double-throw switches with a pushbutton. The extra poles are for panel indicator lights, track signals, and powering the frogs.
"What you described as an 'electrofrog' is really more like an 'insulfrog'. True Peco 'electrofrog' turnouts has a 'live' frog that needs insulated gaps on the frog eng of the turnout. The metal frog on the current Atlas turnouts can be powered using contacts on a switch motor like a Tortoise."
Thank you. I still have trouble keeping the "electrofrog" and "insulfrog" definitions clear in my mind. I have bought some "make-before-break" 4-pole, triple-throw rotary switches from Mouser Electronics to operate my Atlas turnouts, including powering the frog and indicator lights without a relay or changing to Tortoise.
But this thing (above) is so much better, having it all built in. I looked briefly at the Roco Model Trains site, but I didn't see a turnout just like it.
What you have is an Atlas 'Custom Line' turnout from the 80's. The were imported by Atlas and manufactured by Roco(IIRC). The actual construction was quite good, but the switch machine still burned outIthe internal contacts would 'tack' and the current kept flowing). Also the switch machine was sort of 'snap' attached. They did have a powered frog.
The current Atlas Customline and 'Super Switch' turnouts are quite similar in construction. They have both routes powered(been that way since the 60's). What you described as an 'electrofrog' is really more like an 'insulfrog'. True Peco 'electrofrog' turnouts has a 'live' frog that needs insulated gaps on the frog eng of the turnout. The metal frog on the current Atlas turnouts can be powered using contacts on a switch motor like a Tortoise. I had 4 of the 'curved' ones on my layout. They had 22"/18" radius curves in them. I cut off the switch machine when I got them, as all of my turnouts have either Tortoise motors or Caboose Industries ground throws.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Made in Austria by Roco. You can find them today under the Roco brand name if you can find a hobby shop or on-line store that imports Roco track products.
They also had these:
I don't need the double slips, and the curved turnouts are too sharp for my needs, but there they were.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
Interesting, I've never seen one in the 'wild' before. I've seen the ads from Atlas in Model Railroader mentioning them, but Atlas ads only talked about them for a short period of time. Seems like they should have caught on big time, being that they had all the fancy features, but maybe they cost too much when they were new or something.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I could be wrong but it sure looks liek a regualr Atlas turnout to me. Have you tried emailing Atlas?
I found this turnout with some old brass flex track. It has features that I would like to have on all my turnouts:
It provides power to both branches all the time.
It has "electrofrog" already built in and connected.
Each solenoid coil disconnects itself after moving, so you can use a normal electrical SPST switch, instead of a momentary contact.
It is marked "Atlas," "MS 254," "NS 274," and "Made in Austria." I think I'll go back to try to get some more of them.