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Filing Turnouts – Yes? No? and How?
Reece needs guidance if you can help:
“I use Atlas track on my HO layout but have a derailment problem with my new turnout. The cars are in gauge, I checked each one that has derailed. I read to file the ends of the points so the wheels won’t catch, but am unsure about filing the closure and stock rails so they will perhaps fit better. Any tips towards solving this problem and the right way to do it welcomed.”
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7 Responses to Filing Turnouts – Yes? No? and How?
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I actually bend the very end of my points. It is a very gentle bend mind you and the added benefit is a better contact for power. I hope this helps
I have never been able to file the Atlas turnouts, I will try you technique, tha ks
Run a carriage across the points by hand. Try not put weight on it, just push it using a skewer or small stick. This way you should be able to see exactly where it derails. I have found this technique very successful. Sometimes there is a small piece of ballast or glue stuck in there somewhere.
Change it for Pecos! Atlas is not a bad turnout ( my own experience) however it really causes many derailments. I’ve tried many different solutions, but none is 100% fail proof.. In general I found that the moving rails (points) are slight loose in the tie. It do not keep the same height to the outside rail and the wheels jump over it.
Tired of having problems I give up and changed all my turnouts for Pecos. Had no more problems.
I have had to “adjust” the points on Atlas, Shinohara and MicroEngineering turnouts. I use a small set of “needle-nose” pliers and am VERY careful.
Some take more time to tweek and I have had to “adjust” some that have been on the layout for years and never given any problems.
Just be careful! The metal is very thin!
This is one reason why I run 1/64 S scale (Hi Rail) and not scale. There is sufficiently more ‘flange’ on the wheel sets to cover this situation.
Scale and even HO and even worse (N) can be very very picky. You may tthink ” well now you have gap issues at the frogs with flanges shorting out…but that is not the case for me. Just run Hi Rail turnouts.
I have all atlas switches and had the same problem so I went to look at the real thing the prototype the rail on the inside shaved a little. When switch is opened the points go into the shaved area. I made my switch to look close to that. It actually worked for me. I shaved it with a very small flat file. Hope this helps you.
Joe