Hi,
I just sorted out the turnouts from my former layout - all of which are the Atlas HO code 100 Customline or Mark (?), and I find a difference in both the number 4s and also with the number 6s.
Some have silver frogs, while others have black frogs - which I assume this is nothing more than black paint for cosmetic reasons. Is this true? And more importantly, are both kinds "DCC Friendly"?
Thank you Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
DCC Friendly is a myth -- all turnouts are DCC Friendly if you insulate them properly as they are installed.
The black frogs are probably plastic, though they did just paint some metal frogs on certain of their turnouts. Tap the frog with a piece of metal such as a wheelset and you may be able to determine if they're plastic or metal from the sound.
Functionally, it should not matter whether they're metal or plastic unless you run very short wheelbase steam engines such as 0-4-0s.
Atlas Customline turnouts have changed several times over the years. The originals had black plastic frogs. They then went to metal frogs(silver), and the current turnouts have a black 'anodized' finish on them. If you take a mill file to them, it comes off. The other big change was the move from the older throw bar with a large 'rivet' in the center, to the new smaller throw bar that 'clips' into the point rails. This makes it easier to 'flip' the throw bar to the other side if you run into clearance issues. The actual 'geometry' has not changed.
And ALL current Atlas Customline turnouts are DCC Friendly....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thank you all!
You confirmed what I thought, but I try my best not to "assume" too much when it comes to the RR.
By the way, a couple of years ago I ordered (from Atlas) a dozen replacement throwbars for the Atlas turnouts as I had broken a couple accidently and on purpose when I put in some under table machines. Anyway, the dozen came............. only it was a dozen packages of 12 each - and of course I still have most all of them.
Thanks,