Wiring Turnouts

[Anonymous]

Well, this certainly will not be my last question. Having reviewed the information suggested to me about wiring my first effort at an HO layout, I have a question about "wiring the points" on the turnouts. We are using Atlas flex track and Atlas snap turnouts. When I solder feeders to the points on the turnouts, should it be at any particular location on the points. Seems to me if it is toward the end that moves the most, there is potential for interference. Should I wire at the other end, in the middle, or what? Thanks once again.

John
Austin, Texas

[cacole]

I'm not sure what you have been advised concerning wiring of the points, but I usually solder a feeder wire to anywhere on the outside of the outer rails of a turnout. I don't have any experience with Atlas Snap turnouts, but have used several Custom Line turnouts. There are a couple of problems with Atlas turnouts that affect their operation -- first, the tips of the points are usually too blunt and need to be filed on the top so wheel flanges don't snag on them; and second, the rivet that holds the points in place where they swivel is sometimes too loose and causes erratic electrical contact. I have had to add a short jumper wire between the outer rail and this rivet on a couple of Atlas Curstom Line turnouts because electrical continuity through the turnout was flaky. If you have a good soldering iron with a fine tip you can solder a small gauge jumper wire to the inside of the rivet and to the adjoining outer rail to improve electrical characteristics of Atlas turnouts. Personally, I prefer a better quality turnout from the get-go, such as a Peco, to avoid these headaches.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JSoule

"wiring the points" on the turnouts........Atlas snap turnouts.

John;

Snap-switches are not really set up for this....just skip it for now.