I blame Micro Engineering for not making any Code 55 turnouts aside from #6s, and for failing to be a serious competitior.
If you straighten the turnouts and then glue with caulk, you have no one to blame but yourself, and MR which got the whole caulk thing started. That stuff stays stretchy, the last ting you want. You want it to be locked down for life. I lay track with yellow wood glue, spread it thin so that it is almost translucent. Press then track or TO in and weight down. It sets in about 30 minutes. For warped turnouts I might give it an hour or so. Then it's down for good. Ballast and it's fixed forever.
The Atlas switches are DCC friendly. I have yet to have a problem with an Atlas #7 or #10. These are great switches. I do check them often and tune them up if needed, but I haven’t had to replace one yet.
I hate to say it guys BUT I guess I will. When it comes to Manual switches I've looked around for other resources. Finding and I prefer to use Peco switches over Atlas. It's been that way for years. If you want electric or automated switches I prefer Kato #6 switches. I have looked and installed Code 55, #7 Atlas switches but like you had similar problems with them. Fixable as in do able but not quite what I was hoping for. If that helps?
Any manufactured turnout will have this problem in varying degrees... the lower the number, the more pressure the curved diverting rail puts on the straight rail. The manufacturers don’t pre-curve the rail so it’s trying to spring back to straight.
I use Atlas and Micro Engineering code55 turnouts and flex tracks. So far without problems. Important are good trucks and wheels. I only use MTL trucks with ExactRail metal wheels.
Cannot say I have experience with caulk, but I exclusively use latex liquid mails for foamboard. My model RR has been across the world to Germany, and back, with 2 other moves in between and my track is dead solid. No loosening or flexibility. I ballasted it as well to ensure enduring hold. It's relatively cheap, and has great power. I had never noticed any bending in my turnouts, #7s (IIRC) from a 2009 batch. But then again, I have zero straight track on my pike.
