bachmann shay

[tstage]

tatans,

As I stated above, I believe its refered to in MRR that way to make a distinction between a track "switch" (turnout) and an electrical switch. - particularly, if you are using blocks. Clears up any confusion. To my knowledge, in real life or prototype, they are still called switches.

Tom

[tatans]

I just went to several rail road equipment manufacturers sites that supply trackage components,occaisionally the word "turnout' is used but the majority of terminology used is "switches" Switches,switch points, switch stands,switching components etc etc. Turnout must be a local term, I had never heard the the term before seeing this forum, Isn't it from "switching" from one track to another? this must fall in the category of "caboose" what is a "van" ?

[cacole]

We have both Atlas and Peco turnouts on the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club's HO-scale layout and have experienced no such problems with any locomotives; neither DC nor DCC.

The first thing I would check is to make sure your point rails are being firmly held against the stock rails for electrical pickup purposes. If you are using some type of ground throw, such as Caboose Industries products, make sure they are maintaining good pressure on the turnout points. I use only the "sprung" ground throws or stall motor switch machines.

If you have a voltmeter, take voltage readings with the meter set on the 20 Volt AC range of all parts of the turnout and look for dead spots. Atlas turnouts are notorious for developing loose rivets where the point rails swivel, thus causing locomotives to stall because there is no power getting through to the frog.

[tstage]

Hey James!

Welcome to the forum [:)]

By switches, you mean turnouts? Just so you know, turnouts refer to trackage (i.e. changing from one track to another) and switches refer to electrical contacts that you use to run your turnouts with. (As well as other features on your layout.)

Anyway, I have both ATLAS turnouts and crossings on my layout. I haven't had the problem you mentioned with my turnouts but I have had it on my crossings. My 2-8-2 Athearn Mike "hesitates" slightly on crossings. (My P2K S1 diesel less so.) As long as I maintain a fast enough speed then it's fine. But if I go too slow though, it will die right in the middle of the crossing. Have you noticed whether or not your Shay sorta "bounces" across the crossings? My ATLAS ones are especially noisy in that respect.

James, I don't know what to tell you on the turnouts but you may want to try some SHINOHARA crossings. (They also make turnouts.) You can find them in the Walthers catalog or their web site (http://www.walthers.com) or your local hobby store (LHS) may have some in stock.

(FYI: SHIROHARA makes both Code 100 & Code 70 turnouts and switches. They also make Code 83 turnouts and switches BUT...only exclusively for Walther's - i.e. it will be packaged and stocked under the "Walther's" name.)

I've found the SHINOHARA crossings to be much quieter and less problematic than the ATLAS ones. You should be fine using them with your ATLAS track.

James, hope that helps. Keep up the questions. I'm a newbie to the hobby much like yourself. [:D]

Tom

[Jameshoffman]

I have a Bachmann 3 truck Shay that loses power when it goes over switches. Layout is ho scale with dcc power, Tract and trucks have been cleaned numerous times. tract and switches are Atlas. Anyone got any ideas?