Turnouts

I want to use Atlas Code 80 Track, what is the best turn outs to use? And what about the uder table swich machine, is i better to use this one in cojunction with a standard turnout or what.

Or is it better to just go with the remote turnouts.

I want to getr buy as cheep as possible, but be able to automaticley turn my turnouts with a flip of a switch...

 

You can use Kato Unitrack turnouts with Atlas code 80 track. The turnout motor is included and housed in the roadbed. Not cheap but the #6 turnouts are very reliable operationally and derailments are almost unheard of. The switch control for remote operation is sold separately.


Ben

 

I know of some guys (myself included) that are replacing some of their Micro Engineering turnouts with good old Atlas turnouts. For the money, they are reliable.

I use Micro Engineering code 70 track, so having a code 80 turnout isn't a big deal. The Atlas no. 6 turnout is a fairly good match for the ME no. 6 - of course there is the problem that the ME turnout looks beautiful and the Atlas turnout is still ugly and "European" looking. I wish that Atlas would re-design their turnouts and use a more prototypical looking tie design. But I hate the attached switch machines...

 

I deside to go with Atlas code 80, and use custom line turnout, and go the under table route with the swich machine. A little more cost, but I think wort the time, and cost. switch machines, and turnouts are gonna kill the old cash o, thou.

 

Using code 80 and Custom Line turnouts is fine. Do you have to use a POWER UNIT for every turnout? Why not check around, there are some fine and easy ways to throw the points WITHOUT using a power unit. Once you get most MANUAL points control setups adjusted right, they will last a long time and usually don't cost too much $ to build.

Nobody says that you have to use a motor to throw ALL the points on turnouts on the layout. There are a lot of different ways to throw points.

 

I've used Peco code 80 and 55 (which is really code 80 tracks buried deeper) with Atlas track, and vice versa, without too many problems; although I did get some differential expansion between the two types on a module once - but it had been exposed to about 45 degrees C (112 fahrenheit). The Peco motors are OK on their switches for N if mounted below fairly thin baseboards (not more than about 3/4 of an inch in my experience) although they do tend to fail fairly regularly so planning to be able to replace them is important. I've never tried them above boards but given they lock onto the switch they should be good, but contriving ways of hiding them might stretch the imagination. Tortoise also work well.

Steve P