Replacing Atlas Turnouts

[BNSF4ever]

I have a layout with no less than eight Atlas true-track Code 83 turnouts. But I am less than happy with their performance. First, they are a derailment hazard at speed for my rolling stock. Second, the switch controls are not that strong and several times I have seen a locomotive or car move the switch.

I would be happy to swap them out but most of my layout is glued down. Is there any other better HO Code 83 turnouts whose geometry is similar and would be a relatively easy swap?

[camarokid]

Have you tried using Caboose Hobby ground throws? These magic little wonders will lock your points in place and never move. If you haven't filed down the point ends (if possible) to make them a little sharper to lay against the stock rail try that so the wheels of the engine and cars won't pick the point and derail or go in two directions at the same time. That's fun to watch and try to catch all at the same time. Just two ideas that might help you out of a serious problem for all of us.
Archie

[BNSF4ever]

Many thanks--I'll give that a lookup. That also would save me having to throw out the infrastructure I've already purchased.

[IRONROOSTER]

Another thing to help performance is to notch the running rail slightly to allow the point in. Also, get an NMRA gauge and make sure your turnouts are in gauge.

Enjoy
Paul

[rrinker]

First thing I would do it get an NMRA Standards gauge and check your wheels.

EVERY wheel that 'bounces' overmy Atlas turnouts ends up being out of guage, too tight back to back usually. I have two crossovers ina row (outer maint o innter main, inner main to yard lead) and I've been runnign 12 car trains through them forwards and backwards at FAR faster spees than they should with no problems.

Oh - and the yardlead is lower than tha main, so there's a grade in the second crossover!

Personally, i do not feel there is ANYTHING wong with Atlas code 83 track. My experience has shown the fault to lie in the wheels. Athearn locos, Athearn and Kato rolling stock, Rivarossi/IHC passenger cars - most are out of gauge. I fix this, or for the palastic wheels, replace them with Proto 2000 wheelsets, and they roll smoothly though and do not derail.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I've had to do the same thing on my Athearn rolling stock - replace the wheelsets with Proto 2000 wheelsets and all is good.

[cwclark]

I always file the frogs down a bit on the atlas turnouts..there's a small hump just before the entry to the frog that can help jump the wheels off the track..a small jeweler's file will take care of it...another thing is to file down the point rails where they meet the stock rail...here's another good spot for the trains to "pick the point" and cause derailments..file them at a 45 degree angle but don't hog out a lot of metal to make a problem...the other thing is to get rid of the atlas UTTSM's and start using tortoise machines..the tortoise stays powered all the time and will hold the point rail against the stock rail...atlas equipment doesn't do that since they are coil type turnout machines...Chuck

[Anonymous]

One additional thing to look at after yuo have done what has already been recommened is to check that there are no dips in the track joint at the turnout and the adjoining track. The fixes are shim to level and loosen trucks until they can follow the vertical variation of the rail.

[jockellis]

G'day, Y'all,
Somewhat OT but I put a P2K stock car on what I thought was a flat layout and started working on the track at the other end a few moments later, the car struck my hand. The table was, apparently, slightly canted and the P2K trucks roll sooooo smoothly that it just took off.
Jock Ellis
Cumming, GA US of A