For my layout, I will be using the newer Atlas switches with a Digitrax Zepher DCC system. (The layout being 12x9) I've heard rumors that special wiring is necessary, such as powering of the frogs, along with the kind of rail cutting usually needed with Shinohara and Peco track to maintain the correct polarity (avoid shorts). I won't be running anything shorter than a 4- axle switcher, so is this necessary, or at least worth all the trouble I've heard it can be?
Every Atlas turnout I have ever seen are 'DCC Friendly'. The 'frog' is isolated, and can be powered with appropriate turnout motor contacts if needed. The issue with 'short' wheelbase engines is that they may not be able to span the length of the gap across the frog - Not a short circuit issue.
Now, if your layout has a 'wye' or a 'reverse loop' - you will need to cut gaps or use insulated rail joiners to prevent shorts - This is true with DC or DCC.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I use all Atlas turnouts. No special wiring is needed, other than, as mentioned, reverse loops and wye track arrangements - same as any turnout. I installed a wire on all of my Atlas turnouts to power the frog, but even my little 44-tonner crawls over them without stalling, so I haven't actually hooked any up as of yet. Atlas turnouts are completely 'dcc friendly' as-is, the point rails are insualted from each other and retain the polarity of the adjacent stock rail, so there is no chance of the back of one wheel brushing the open point and causing a short.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I wouldn't put much stock in whoever told you about the "problems' with Atlas turnouts. As mentioned above they are fine for DCC right out of the box.
I have more than 60 Atlas turnouts on my DCC layout.
No problems, no special wiring, they all work great "right out of the box.
Rich
Alton Junction
I use Atlas Code 83 turnouts (switches) and I have DCC; and have used both for over ten years. The Atlas turnouts are DCC frinedly right out of the package. The newer ones have a small tab attached to the frog so you can attach a jumper to prower the frog, however, this may only necessary for very short wheel base locomotives. I use Atlas #8, #6 and Wye turnouts. I also use Atlas Code 83 flex track.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
I have lots of them. They work fine right out of the box.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Hi!
My recently built HO layout uses Atlas code 100 turnouts - # 8, # 6, and a few # 4s. My locos range from E units and 4-8-4s and 2-10-4s down to a few small diesel switchers. All negotiate the turnouts just fine.
The only difficulty I had was with the 4 single crossovers made with the relatively new # 8 turnouts. The larger locos would stop when going at slow speeds. It was obvious that the frogs needed to be powered. So, I got the Atlas relays, wired them in, and they work like a charm!
Thankfully, none of the locos have continuity problems with the other size turnouts.
Oh, by the way, early generations of Atlas turnouts can give you problems. By "early", I mean those built in the '70s and '80s. Some of mine allowed a loco wheel to touch both point rails at the frogs, and a few others had weak rivits on the pivot track, which allowed a heavy loco to bend it over and thus derail. All of the older turnouts were replaced with the newer ones.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central