I use Atlas #4 and #6 in my yards and Walther's #6 and #8 on my mainlines and secondary tracks. I have never had any real problems with the Atlas I usually take my dremel and lightly grind down the top of the frogs so that they are about .001 lower than the top of the tracks this seems to work well and I started doing this back in the 80's when I had a lot of Atlas switches and the cars would hop on the frogs. Looks wise if the Atlas switches are set back and painted and ballasted they look fine and the cost if you have a budget is not bad. I run code 100 on the whole layout due to some old Rivarossi's and 100 is the best choice for the equipment I have. I like my old Walther's switches for their looks and operation.
Your best option if your local hobby store has both peco and atlas switches lay them side by side and see which one you like better and go with that.
Ray
I have been using Atlas turnouts and flex track for years. I currently have about 40 #4 and #6 turnouts, code 83 on all visible work and code 100 in hidden staging. I also have a few Walthers #4's.
What I have found, is that with Atlas turnouts you need to check all the clearances. I have found the frogs to high and the guide rails to tight. Both causing wheels to ride up and derail. I fix both problems with a small file. Another spot that I have had a few problems is with the folded over tangs on the underside of the closure rails. If they are not snug you will lose power on the other side of the turnout.This is another easy fix, just support the top of the swivel point and push the tangs down a little.
Don't let me scare you away from these turnouts. Overall I am very happy with the Atlas products. Even with the extra bit of work they need at times, I feel that they are a good choice if cost is any concern. After painting and ballasting it is hard to tell the difference from other track.
Phil, CEO, Eastern Sierra Pacific Railroad. We know where you are going, before you do!
wyldmanr8cer Im at a crossroads. Im building a new layout that is very large and I have to purchase several turnouts and cant decide what brand to go with. I like the Peco turnouts because of their snapping action mechanism. I dont know much about the Atlas turnouts, Ive kind of taken an interest in them since their so much cheaper than the other brands and I was wondering what other people thought of the Atlas turnouts?
Im at a crossroads. Im building a new layout that is very large and I have to purchase several turnouts and cant decide what brand to go with. I like the Peco turnouts because of their snapping action mechanism. I dont know much about the Atlas turnouts, Ive kind of taken an interest in them since their so much cheaper than the other brands and I was wondering what other people thought of the Atlas turnouts?
I have never used Peco turnouts so I really can't compare.
I have used Atlas turnouts as stand-ins to get something running until I got around to hand laying my track. Overall, I consider the Atlas products mediocre. Because of their large volume relative to other manufacturers, there have been more design and manufacturing revisions over the years than anyone not at Atlas can keep track of. Although the basic geometry and wiring scheme have been a constant, the materials and construction have not. As a result, some batches of Atlas turnouts are simply better quality than others. Some are totally in gauge, some are not.
Joe Fugate initially built his large layout with Atlas turnouts. Over the years, the wear of frequent and heavy ops, and his desire for better looking track led Joe to gradually replace his Atlas turnouts with a combination of Central Valley and Fast Tracks turnout kits.
Something to consider in the cost equation is that because of the spring, Peco turnouts do not require a switch machine unless you want one. For all the common makes of turnouts, switch machines are an extra cost item - which depending on solution, can sometimes cost as much as the turnout itself. OTOH, you can always fit a toggle spring to an Atlas turnout to give it the same snap action as a Peco.
No matter what brand of turnout you buy, or even if you make your own, use the following tools to make them as derailment-free as possible:
Then be willing to fix whatever is not spot on. Good trucks will do OK on fair track, and fair wheels will do OK on good track. But fair wheels on fair track is derailment city. Very good wheels on very good track makes model railroading truly fun.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
I've always used Atlas turnouts and continue to do so on my current layout - never had a problem. I use servos from Tam Valley as the operating mechanism, in the past I've used Tortoises. So far I've never had an Atlas turnotu fail after installation, and any cars and locos that 'bumped' through the frogs were always found to have out of guage wheels, I never modified any of my turnouts, and my layotu runs derailment-free. Once painted and ballasted, you can't even tell.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Steve_F I’m using Peco code 83 HO electrofrog turnouts and track purely for the looks and reliability, I remove the springs because I use switch machines but if your going manual the springs do work well. These DO cost more than most others but for me the looks make them worth while. I use DCC and insulate both inner rails and add a feed to the frog from the switch machine and have yet to have a problem with hesitation or shorts. P.S. My personal view is the atlas look rubbish, but from my several years reading these forums I realize this view will not be shared by all on this forum and it does does depend on your priorities e.g. looks or price.
I think that Steve's reply sums it up pretty well. It is a matter of looks versus price. Atlas turnouts are somewhat less expensive, Peco turnouts look more prototypical.
Both perform well and provide the basic function of routing engines and cars through the turnout.
The best way to make your own determination is to buy one of each and then see which you like better based upon the price. And, don't overlook the fact that if looks are important to you, your other track is going to have to be selected based upon price versus looks as well.
Rich
P.S. I think that Steve's assertion that Atlas turnouts "look rubbish" is a bit harsh. They look pretty good as turnouts go.
Alton Junction
I’m using Peco code 83 HO electrofrog turnouts and track purely for the looks and reliability, I remove the springs because I use switch machines but if your going manual the springs do work well. These DO cost more than most others but for me the looks make them worth while.
I use DCC and insulate both inner rails and add a feed to the frog from the switch machine and have yet to have a problem with hesitation or shorts.
P.S. My personal view is the atlas look rubbish, but from my several years reading these forums I realize this view will not be shared by all on this forum and it does does depend on your priorities e.g. looks or price.
Peco turnouts play, IMHO, in a different league, than Atlas turnouts. I never had a problem with Peco turnouts in the past. They are a quality product, for which you have to pay a premium when compared to other brands.
There is one thing you should be aware of. Peco Code 75 and Code 100 turnouts follow European tie spacing and arrangement, which differs considerably from US prototype. Peco Code 83 track, however, follows US practices.