Atlas #5 (and #7.5) switch fix available

[luther_stanton]

I have two Atlas #5 turnouts installed on my layout.  Up until this May I had no issues with the “known design” of a large gap between the power rails through the switch.  I had been running a Lionel GP7, Atlas SW8 and a set of K-Line F7s.  When I added a Lionel Berkshire in April, I began to have issues.  The Berk would make it through the switch but it needed speed and momentum to carry it through a slight power loss.  Most recently I also added a LionMaster Hudson which had the same problem – it needed momentum /  speed to keep running through the switch.

 

There was a recent posting on the Atlas O forum that Atlas had changed the design of their #7.5 high speed turn outs to address concerns about power loss.  They stated that a free upgrade kit was available to existing owners.  I took a chance and contacted the Atlas technical support asking if they had a fix for the #5 turnout as well.  It turns out that they did not; however, the gentleman I conversed with did some research and thought the #7.5 kit could be adapted for the #5 turn out.  He warned me it would involve cutting and some custom fitting to get it done.  BTW, this entire conversation transpired via email in three days – with a few back and forth emails.  Their technical support response time was pretty darn good.

 

Atlas sent the parts along with customized instructions / suggestions and the direct phone / extension of the gentleman (Steve Horvath) I had been working with.

 

I followed Steve’s suggestions and had one of the #5 switches ready for testing in about 90 minutes.  The first test through was a success for the Hudson but the Berkshire still had some issues.  I ended up adding a slight shim beneath the end of the power rail insert to ensure it was high enough for the rear power roller to maintain contact through the end of the rail.  Once that was in place all engines ran through fine and the gap in the power rail is now 1.25 – 1.5 inches, down from somewhere around 4.5 inches.  I also ran my cattle car (which has an accessory shoe on the truck) to make sure there was no snagging with that type of car.

 

After letting Atlas know that the modification had worked, I also asked if he would mind if I posted the fix here, which obviously he did not.  Below are some pictures of the process.

 

I needed to drill some new holes for the power rail extension.

 

 

I also needed to cut down the length of the center rail since it was really designed for the #7.5 turnout.  The bottom extension is a stock extension - I cut about 3/8" off.

 

 

Here is the new power rail installed.

 

All in all, this was a great example of the continued excellent customer support I have received from Atlas.  If anyone else is having issues with either the #5 switch or #7.5 high speed turn out, I suggest contacting Atlas technical support / parts.  The email address is at http://www.atlaso.com/menu1-1.htm.