I have on occasion used a needle nose to apply a slight bend to the tip of the point rail so that it touches the side rail when closed. It fixes the problem and doesn't seem to narrow the gauge so much that bad things happen.
When I first started in N, I used Atlas code 80, as that was the only thing available. Phew! The rivets that make up the hinges for the points were invariably loose, and thepoint rails wouldn't stay upright. The pointy part of the point rails rarely made good contact. You're welcome to them. But you are right about ballasting. Not an easy job without some experience and abundant care.
Bill, how long ago was that? (Not trying to make fun of your age! ) You do realize that Code 80 turnouts have been revised a few times? When was the last time you bought a currently manufactured one? If not recently, try to find one and you'll see the difference. To make inferences based on really old design does everyone a disservice. Otherwise let's talk about Lima turnouts and AHM rolling stock and imply that N Scale sucks.
What? You think I don't know if four cylinder engines suck or not just because I swore them off when I got rid of my Maxwell?
Bill, how long ago was that? (Not trying to make fun of your age! ) Go ahead, make fun, I do. It was in the nineties. You do realize that Code 80 turnouts have been revised a few times? When was the last time you bought a currently manufactured one? In the nineties was when I swore them off permanantly. Then I realized the error of my ways and went to code 55 and learned to build my own turnouts. Handlaid TO's are better in appearance and much more reliable. If not recently, try to find one and you'll see the difference. Don't know where I would find one. And it would pain me greatly to buy anything in code 80.
I think I've got it working now! Yesterday evening I cleaned up the sliding bit as much as I could, getting my smallest screwdrivers into the nooks and crannies and dislodging as much as I could, and vacuuming up the crud. I haven't installed all my turnouts yet, so I took a lefty remote from another uninstalled turnout and put it in place of the destroyed turnout. I even sanded the inside (i.e. the side that faces the track centre) of the point with a file so that there would be less of a jump. So far so good, I pushed the boxcar through and everything seems smooth. As for Atlas turnouts, most of the turnouts I bought are good. But the two that are giving me issues do have very loose points. They rock from side to side significantly, unlike most of the other turnouts I have, which is what causes the bad connection. In any case, everything looks good so far, and I can carry on with the rest of the track.
I don't have a problem with Atlas code 80 turnouts, even the ones over 50 years old. Some were tweaked, years ago but the latest #6 ones are pretty much out of the package. Doug
I have to agree with @MK on this one. Though This is my first layout in years. https://www.trainboard.com/highball...lifornia-wild-fire-and-growth-exhibit.128431/ I've soldered every joint in my track laying that has involved code 80 switches and before even gluing it down I test and throw the switch to see if it works with most of the stock and locos I have. I've even glued down the switch with the bar and had to pull it back up before the glue dried to clean it up so the throw bar would move hahaha I will never forget that one !! Now this may be meticulous but this scale is so small it is just good practice to do it because once you start to ballast it as @Stephane Savard has done. Unless you are meticulous you may have issues. I feel every turnout has issues unless you address there problems before you actually use them. Peco switches have issues with the insul-frog version and live version. These as mostly electrical as you have to jump some of the points at the rails. you also have to buy turtles switches that you have to fit to the switch itself. Installing those must be very involved lol plus this option though is very realistic is very very expensive. Atlas does us kind of favor from my perspective and gives us all the goodies in a bag we just have to fine tune them. I've used atlas switches since I was a kid. In HO and N scale. With the remotes of course. We didnt know how to do any of the fancy stuff back then lol. They were solid turnouts for a good price !
