AtlasTurnouts-Upgrade vs. replacement

[rlandry6]

I recently acquired a 4X8 N scale layout. There are several things on my upgrade list for it, one of them being replacement of the turnouts with automatic switching type. Everything is Atlas manual with ground throws. It seems that Atlas does not make an "add-on" N Scale switch machine, and it's built on several layers of foam, making under the table machine not an option. So, it looks like replacement is the only solution. Someone please correct me if I've missed something. For the little bit of price difference, I think Peco is the way to go, so my question is, are peco the same physical dimensions as the Atlas, facilitating pretty much a drop in replacement, or will I have to do a lot of rail cutting and trimming to get everything to match up. I want to as little destruction to the scenery as necessary. I'm looking at replacing a total of 13 turnouts and 2 wyes.
I'm also adding DCC. I've read that both insulated and non-insulated frogs are DCC friendly, so does it make any difference which I go with? As you can tell, I'm pretty much a newbie and all advice would be very much appreciated.

[Jacktal]

First you,ll have to determine which Atlas tracks you have...most probably code 80 but it would be wise to make sure.Peco makes very nice code 80 tracks with a good selection of turnouts in code 80.I suggest you visit Loy's Toys website and click on "Peco",they list all peco turnouts with measurements,turnout numbers and frog angles complemented with pictures.You could also visit Peco's page...I believe you can get actual size illustrations of their turnouts from them at minimal cost if not free.

Insulfrog turnouts have their frogs insulated meaning that you have a part of the turnout to which no current is supplied.This is a minor problem however as most locos will go through these just fine,with the exception of may be some very short locos or others that have less than ideal current pick-up.Electrofrogs will alleviate this occasional problem but need special care during installation so you don't create short circuits.You just follow the instructions that come with the turnout,which aren't hard to follow.This is also fully explained on Loy's Toys website.

[Seamonster]

I just compared an Atlas turnout to a Peco turnout, holding them against each other. From what I could see, they were almost identical. The length of the straight and diverging rails were the same. The Atlas turnout had a bit more curve on the diverging rails, making them about 2 mm. farther away from the straight rails at the ends than the Peco turnout. The switch rod on the Peco turnout was slightly closer to the frog. I have to admit I was surprised, as I've heard that the geometry of the Peco turnouts was different than the Atlas turnouts. Maybe what I saw was true only for that particular size of turnout and may be different for other sizes. Hope this helps.

[jkeaton]

If you want to use the Peco electric switch machines with replacement turnouts, then either you're going to dig a hole in the roadbed and foam under each switch, or you're going to be installing the switch machines under the table anyway - Peco switch machines clip onto the underside of Peco turnouts, though there is an extension kit to allow for undertable mounting. If you want an above the table switch machine, then you'll have to go with another brand - and figure out where you're going to put them. Perhaps you should consider just replacing the manual Atlas turnouts with electric Atlas turnouts - they'll fit in the same space, and the electric switch machine just fits where the manual switch machine was.

Jim