Atlas Mark IV #6 turnout questions?????

[emman]

BDP,

I use all Atlas track and turnouts. The turnouts are the Mark IV #6 and #4. Like the others, none of mine are powered or jumpered. This works for both DC and DCC. I do have #4s in the yard and my six axle diesels work fine. Since it's a yard, they do go at slower speeds and don't stall unless I inadvertently (or absent mindedly) stop the locomotive on the turnout (DOH!)

Emman

[cmrproducts]

Brad

I used #6s where I could but there are a lot of #4s (which some say are closer to #5s) in there too!

As time went on I began using Shinohara #8 double curved turnouts as it seemed that all of my #6s were too close the curves at the ends of my yards.

It seemed that the #6s made a kink in the track at their ends.

I even cut the long ends off the turnouts to make the curves a little wider coming off the ends of the turnouts - still not smooth enough - the double curved turnouts did the trick!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

 

BDP

Thanks for your reply. I figured I would be ok but didnt know for sure before I started laying out the track.

What # of turnouts did you use in your yard if you have one?

 

Thanks

Brad

Brad

I used #6

[rrinker]

 My previous layotu had all Atlas #6's on the main line. None of them had the frogs powered. Everything ran fine with no problems stalling or loosing power, and most of my locos are 4 axle diesels.

 This layout I am installign wires to each frog before installing the turnout, but none of them have been wired up yet, and everythign works fine., My smallest loco is a Bachmann GE 44-tonner and it handles the unpowered frogs just fine. Pretty sure had I NOT added the wire, I'd have stalling problems making me WISH I had put the wire in. But since they're all ready to be wired - it doesn;t need it.

                              --Randy

 

[BDP]

Rich

Thanks for the reply. Yea I dont have that much room to use the #6's. My bench work is only going to be 30" wide and I would like to have atleast 4 runs in my yard plus my mainline. I havent finished that part of my bench work yet so I am not 100% sure that that many #6's will work. I may be able to stretch it to 36" but then it will be a stretch for me to reach the back of it.

I am doing a modern era layout so I wont have any steamers but will have some 6 axle engine's and a few 4 axle engine's.

Looks like I need to order a few #4 turnouts.

[richhotrain]

BDP

I received all my track and turnouts today and have a question about the above turnout. Most of the engines I plan on running will be of the 3 axle per truck version and not to many 2 axle per truck versions, but will I be able to cross the turnout frog without having to put power to the frog? I have a old Santa Fe DC loco with 2 axles and looks very close to being able to get away without having to power the frog with the use of 2 axle loco's.

Also I had a brainfart and realized that the tunouts I got are not that great for yard turnouts. The #6's are to long, so wondering what turnouts would be good for yard switches? I plan on using all the #6's for mainline to siding lines.

BDP,

I use Atlas Custom Line turnouts exclusively on my layout.  The #6 Mark IV will easily handle any steam engine or 4 axle diesel or 6 axle diesel.  No need to power the frogs.

If the #6's are too long for your yard, you are going to have to use #4's, but, in that case, stick with switchers or 4 axle diesels for yard duty.  The steam engines and the 6 axle diesels will have problems negotiating the divergent tracks on the #4 turnouts.  I use #6 turnouts in my yards, but I have the space to justify them.

Rich

[Hamltnblue]

If you have decent quality modern models, most have all wheel pickup. So it wouldnt' matter what was going on at the frog since the other truck would pick up the slack. 

[BDP]

Thanks for your reply. I figured I would be ok but didnt know for sure before I started laying out the track.

What # of turnouts did you use in your yard if you have one?

 

Thanks

Brad

[cmrproducts]

BDP

I use #6 and #4 Atlas turnouts (c100) all over my layout and run a lot of 4 axle units through them (diesel) and have no trouble with not powering the frog.

Only my really short switchers will sometimes have a problem.  I usually run them in pairs so this then is no longer a problem.

If I had any problems and having over 400 turnouts on my home layout - I would surly have gone nuts by now!

With you running 6 axle units you should have no problems at all!

 

BOB H - Clarion, PA

[BDP]

I received all my track and turnouts today and have a question about the above turnout. Most of the engines I plan on running will be of the 3 axle per truck version and not to many 2 axle per truck versions, but will I be able to cross the turnout frog without having to put power to the frog? I have a old Santa Fe DC loco with 2 axles and looks very close to being able to get away without having to power the frog with the use of 2 axle loco's.

Also I had a brainfart and realized that the tunouts I got are not that great for yard turnouts. The #6's are to long, so wondering what turnouts would be good for yard switches? I plan on using all the #6's for mainline to siding lines.