Please see our Facebook page for more information Z scale #6 turnouts - features include blackened die cast frog with tab for powering and sprung points Z scale 19° crossing - matches #6 turnouts Initial test shot samples will be on display at Trainfest
This is awesome. I’m going to use the MP1 switch motor to power these turnouts. Next year is perfect timing for my new layout. Omg so happy
Z scale turnouts without roadbed attached. AZL CA Zephyr on the way. I might have to plan a new layout. Matt
@Paul Graf I have two questions... 1. For track planning purposes, does the geometry of this turnout match up with an of your others in N or HO? 2. Do any of your existing switch machines work with these turnouts? (I saved a couple of 2065's from my N days hoping they'll work.) Thanks for these....this is gonna be a game changer for Z-scale I predict.
1) No, these were designed from newly. Once we do our testing and are sure that things are where they should be, we can work with Milan at SCARM to incorporate them into the software. 2) The samples have only just been received, and were designed with a spring in the throw bar so no machine is necessary. We have not tried them with any machines yet.
Yes, I did notice that throw bar spring feature and that easily surpasses sliced bread as best invention ever. Having that capability is VERY nice. I will likely only power key mainline turnouts--but that will be down the road a ways anyway--so I'll way and see what the best solution is by then. I don't use SCARM (yet) but rather XTrKCAD, although I imagine someone will port the turnouts there as well. Just jonesing to get started and see what a dream Z layout might actually look like. I thought if something matched up I could just design in the larger scale.
I would expect that any below table switch machine like a Tortoise or Hoffman, would work fine as they are slow motion machines and you can adjust the throw length, and they contain the contacts needed to power the frog, if you noticed in the photos there is a tab and eye attached to the frog for this purpose. I would shy away from snap twin coil machines at this point as they may be too rough on the turnout and most do not have contacts for powering the frog, but a frog juicer could be used in DCC layouts to power the frog. Also looking at the photo of the turn out they are not constant radius, but are more prototypical with straight exit from the points hence the 19 degree angle for a cross over, this is different from most of the turnouts available in Z scale sectional track, which is designed to geometric standard so it all fits together in complex layouts. With Atlas track and turnout you can design your own dual main and yard track spacing. now it is more like hand laid rail layouts than sectional track layouts in the design phase.
So, any pics, drawings, or details? This is good news and I think I will like the spring loaded points. As always, the devil is in the details.
The Atlas 2065 switch machines have a built in relay for powering the frogs. (the n-scale turnouts I have used in the past have the same "eye" attached to the frog.) Here is the instruction sheet: http://img.xooimage.com/files20/7/f/d/notice-atlas-2065...01-reduit-3a3448.jpg "Too rough"...may be true. That is sort of why I asked the question.
at 2:44 into this video, Atlas demonstrates the new z scale turnouts: https://www.facebook.com/zscalehobo/posts/536511940015207
Doug mentions it in his postThey look great! A couple of questions: What is that "circular" thing sticking out from the side, off the "main line"? Something to do with the frog? Garth mentions it in his post. How is the spring-loaded feature (which is very cool,BTW) accomplished? Does it have to do with the little white "box"? It appears to be a metal frog(?), so I guess all routes are powered? This could indeed be a "game changer" for the scale. Doug mentions it in his post. Mark in Oregon
The thing sticking out is to solder a wire to power the frog, just like their N scale turnouts. The spring is a simple over-center spring like this: Same as Peco turnouts.
Thank you Chris What is the advantage of a "powered" frog? I apologize for my ignorance in this field... Mark in Oregon
