When I pulled my trains out of storage, I salvaged all the Atlas switch machines and re-used a few of them, because it was cheaper to buy manual turnouts and swap them out. The old machines still fit the mounts on Code 100 track.
Some of these are over 50 years old, and they still work. In fact, other than a few I toasted way back then by having those silly blue pushbuttons fail in the closed position, I've never had an Atlas machine fail in service.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
There's no rule that says the Tortoise has to be near the turnout it controls - if there's no room within a foot of the turnout, no problem. You can use wire linkages, or actuator cables such as the one that somes in the Tortoise Remote Mount kit, or the actuator wires sold by Fast Tracks for use with the Bullfrog switch machines, and put the Tortoise wherever it is most convenient.
Seems to me that one extra bit of mechical work would be much easier than having one turnout controlled in a completely different manner. You'd retain all the features of the Tortoise, slow positive action, the contacts, etc. for some rather slight effort in mechnical design.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
What about a springloaded hand thrown switch or a manual switch using a cable pull?
Hi guys!
I'm a little late here but can chip in a few cents............
My previous layout (HO 11x15 two level) used Atlas above and below table switch machines. Thru-out the layout's existance (93-08), I NEVER had a failure on the approximately 30 machines. On my new layout, I continue to use Atlas machines.
I will not argue that they are better than anything, but their reliability and cost are noteworthy.
For "camoflauge", I paint each machine a black/brown wash , and will then brush on a white glue mix and sprinkle on ground cover of whatever kind matches the area. The key of course is to not get anything in the open slot on the top of the solenoid.
While the purists will opt for Tortoises or the like, sometimes one has to compromise...................
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Rich, Brad,& Mr. B, Thanks for all the suggestions. Since I much rather use Tortoises I am going to try Brad's suggestion first. If that doesn't fly, I'll go with Mr. B's way. Thanks again. you folks, and this forum are great.
Sam
PS that's nice work Mr. B.
I have a lot of Atlas turnouts and switch machines, and I never have any trouble with them. They must be mounted flat and level. It is very easy to offset them from the track with some kind of extension on the throwbar.
Here, you can see the throwbar leading to an Atlas machine inside a scenic cover.
There are two Atlas machines in this picture. One is beneath a bunch of greenery, and the other is hidden inside the building.
The one in the foreground is directly attached to the turnout, as designed. These are Code 100, and the switch machines are much larger than the Code 83 models, so I have done my best to hide them.
I have mounted Tortoise machines offset from the switch (turnout) location, and bent a rod with a corresponding offset to actuate the points. It can be offset to one side, or offset lengthwise. Too much offset, though, and I would fabricate some linkages to transfer motion. How about offsetting under the layout, say, 3 inches to one side, drilling the hole for the rod offset the corresponding 3", and using a linkage topside to transfer the motion? You can also use the end of the throwbar as opposed to the middle. There are so many possibilities.
The Atlas machines are ... meh, OK for an Atlas turnout, but the Tortoise gives a better "hold", in my opinion.
Brad
EMD - Every Model Different
ALCO - Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
CSX - Coal Spilling eXperts
Early on before I first used Tortoises, I had used the under layout Atlas switch machines and hated them because they were not reliable in my experience. So, I turned to Tortoises and have never looked back.
I have never used the above the layout Atlas switch machine, but I have heard good things about it.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi Rich,
As always the Tortoise is my first choice, and I do have other Tortoise machines mounted on topside,and well hidden, but in this situation I just can't seem to get it to fit no how. I have to resolve to the Atlas surface mount switch machine, but never used them before. How reliable are they?
Sam,
Two thoughts.
First, I have yet to be stymied by a potential Tortoise location where I cannot make a Tortoise fit. Take another look before you give up on the Tortoise.
Second, Atlas makes a surface switch machine which can be camoflauged to hide its appearance. Have you considered that approach?
If it's an Atlas turnout, why not use an Atlas switch motor -- they are twin coil like the Peco motor, but don't rely on a centering spring to hold the turnout in position, and they are (should be) very cheap, comparatively speaking.
Thanks Jacktal, I think I'll give that some thought. The area where the the turnout is located is very tight and I think the Tortoise might be a little to big for that spot, but maybe I can mount it somewhere a little more distant from the turnout and use a rod as you suggested might be the way to go. thank you.
Couldn't you use a Tortoise again mounted on the surface with some sort of rod?The Tortoise could be concealed inside a building or other scenic component...just a suggestion.
Thanks Mr B,
I use Atlas turnouts, so I guess the Peco machine is out. Any suggestions on any other machine I can use for above layout use?
First, is it a Peco turnout? Peco switch machines don't hold the points firmly against the stock rail. They depend on the springs in the Peco turnouts to do that. The machines just get the points from one side to the other.
The machines have one coil for each direction. If you look at the long flat sides, each side has 2 wire lugs. On one side, wire the 2 lugs together, and then run a common wire to your power supply. The other terminal of the power supply goes to the center post of a single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) MOMENTARY toggle, one with a spring that pulls it back to the center. Each of the outer posts of the toggle goes to one of the individual lugs on the other flat face of the Peco switch machine.
Because the Peco machine has to overcome the force of the spring in the turnout, it takes more power than other twin-coils like an Atlas. It's best to run any twin-coil with a capacitive-discharge circuit, but even more important for a power-hungry Peco.
Hello all,
I use Tortoises switch motors, mounted under the layout, but I am now at a point where I can't use a tortoise, so I need to install a Peco switch machine above the layout.My problem is, I don't know how to wire it up. What type of toggel switch do I need? I am using the Peco machine because it is much smaller than the Tortoise, and easy to conceal. Thank you all. who reply.