Dead spot in turnout - help

[Anonymous]

I have what seems to be a dead spot in an Atlas #4 turnout just ahead of the frogs. The cab-end trucks of my Athearn GP38 and GP60 negotiate the turnout, but the diesels come to a dead stop when the rear trucks hit the spot. It's the only turnout where this happens. This is my yard lead! I don't want to have to rip out the turnout and reballast, etc. Help with solution suggestions appreciated.

[Jetrock]

You might try soldering another power feed ahead of the turnout--try testing by running some power leads to that spot and clip them to the track with alligator clips. Then, rather than rip up the turnout, just drill two holes and run new power leads up from under the track and solder in place. You'll need to do a little touch-up work to cover the new leads but that's easier than tearing out the turnout entirely.

[michaelstevens]

[8D]
Try a drop of plastic compatible oil at the rivet, which hinges the switch rail and/or a drop between the switch point and the inside of the rail which it supposed to contact.
Actually, I have developed the habit of lubing all turnouts, upon installation.
[:D]

[Anonymous]

well it seems your models are powered by rear truck only or the first truck does something to the turnout. Get a walthers bright boy and scrub man, I've experienced the dead turnout problem but I don't use Atlas, Well i'm just as stumped as u R

[IRONROOSTER]

Use a circuit tester (one rated to work at 12 volts), with the power pack on high see if all the rails have power in the turnout. You can also make a tester with a 12v lamp and two wires soldered to it.
Good luck
Paul

[Anonymous]

Hey thanks for the suggestions, fellas. As soon as I put a circuit tester on the turnout, I discovered a tail-end rail joiner was the culprit -- it wasn't making contact properly, and there was no power in the turnout. Applied a bit of pressure with the testertip to tighten up the rail joiner and now my GP38 breezes across at a scale 7 mp/h.