how do put lights on my atlas turnouts, so when Im going straight its one color, and when I change it to turn to the left or right, it changes color?
There are a few ways to do this. I'm assuming these are "remote control" turnouts with Atlas switch machines.
First, you could get an Atlas "deluxe" under-table switch machine to replace the one on each turnout. This only works if you have a 3/4-inch (or less) base, like a plywood sheet, and a 1/4-inch roadbed, because they designed these with a 1-inch throw rod on the machine. These "deluxe" models include contacts for adding lights, and are wired using screw terminals. If your turnouts are already glued down and ballasted, this option becomes a lot less attractive.
You could accomplish the same thing by getting a small latching relay from All Electronics or Mouser online. The latching relay would be wired in parallel with the existing turnout control lines. This would involve a bit of rewiring, but it's otherwise straightforward. Most of these relays are actually circuit-board components, so be prepared to do some soldering of wires on small terminals. This is probably the cheapest option.
There's a guy in Canada who sells small circuit boards which replace the control buttons supplied by Atlas. These boards both drive the turnout and provide outputs to drive LEDs. He sells them both assembled and as bags of parts you put together yourself. They are a bit more than the relays, but still cheaper than the Atlas "deluxe" machines. I'll try to find the web site when I get home tonight and update this post for you. EDIT: His name is Ken Stapleton. This is a link to the product page: http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/751D.HTM Here's a picture of the unit. It's a standard mini-toggle, so you can get an idea of size:
Finally, you could replace the Atlas switch machine with a Tortoise slow-motion machine. This, once again, will be awkward if you've glued and ballasted the turnout. The Tortoise also has contact closures for lights. You will also need to replace the push-button for this, because a Tortoise needs a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) toggle. This will cost more than the Atlas "deluxe" machine, but the slow-motion action of the points is more prototypical than the snap-action of Atlas machines.
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If you use powered switch machines you could wire an Atlas snap relay in paralell with the switch machine. There are two sets of SPST contacts on them. Caboose Industries makes a hand throw with electrical contacts that works like an SPST switch to power frogs or light lamps if you are throwing the switches manually.
MisterBeasley Finally, you could replace the Atlas switch machine with a Tortoise slow-motion machine. This, once again, will be awkward if you've glued and ballasted the turnout. The Tortoise also has contact closures for lights.
Finally, you could replace the Atlas switch machine with a Tortoise slow-motion machine. This, once again, will be awkward if you've glued and ballasted the turnout. The Tortoise also has contact closures for lights.
(My vote if you can make it work).
MisterBeasley... because a Tortoise needs a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) toggle.
Not the case if you use a split supply however. Single pole double throw works just fine then.
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Thanks for the info.
Or an AC power supply and diodes. Tortoises draw such low power you can use those little glass diodes that come in packs of 100. Tricky attachment of the connection to the Tortoise contacts allows you to use one pair of diodes to both power the Tortoise AND control which LED lights up.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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which lights can be just soldered to a tortise and mounted on the layout?
You can put LEDs in series witht he motor wires (pins 1 and 8) on the Tortoise and htey will need no resistors, the Tortoise motor limits the current to a safe level for the LEDs. For a searchlight type signla you cna use a bicolor LED< depending on which way the turnout is set it will be red or green. Or you can use individual red and green LEDs wired back to back (which is what's inside a bicolor LED) to make a 2 light type of signal.