Atlas C55 #7 switches

[reinhardtjh]

In an effort to save Bob some typing, here is a post from a thread back in 2018 talking about his method of point connection.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=45651.msg592306#msg592306

And another post a couple down from that talks about "jogging"  and more.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=45651.msg592449#msg592449


I have that thread bookmarked because it contains a lot of good information about turnout construction.

[jdcolombo]

Just to stress something Bob said that I don't think anyone has commented on:

Use silver bearing solder for turnouts, not regular electronics solder.  As Bob notes, the silver-bearing solder produces a much stronger joint.  I don't hinge my turnout points and have two #4 turnouts on my layout in switching areas that get thrown back and forth extensively during an op session.  I worried that the point rails would come loose from the throwbar if I didn't hinge the points, but that hasn't happened in five years of continuous use.  So pay attention to the solder you use.

John C.

[Sumner]

....  So pay attention to the solder you use. John C.

Ordered some a while ago, thanks guys. 

Not inexpensive but found what I think is a good deal for me out of the U.K..  Some WBT0825 that you can order by the meter and shipping wasn't that bad.  4 meters and shipping for about $17.  I'll just use it on part of the turnout like what you mentioned so that should last me as long as I'll be building turnouts.

Sumner

[mmagliaro]

I usually buy silver bearing solder from Radio Shack (on line now that the stores are all gone).  They sell a nice 1 Oz roll of very thin (.015")  2% silver bearing solder for about $10.  I don't know how long it is.

[jjb62556]

I still have a Radio Shack store in town..

[robert3985]

In an effort to save Bob some typing, here is a post from a thread back in 2018 talking about his method of point connection.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=45651.msg592306#msg592306

And another post a couple down from that talks about "jogging"  and more.

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=45651.msg592449#msg592449


I have that thread bookmarked because it contains a lot of good information about turnout construction.

@reinhardtjh  Thanks for saving me some typing effort!!

One important note about my hinged throwbar method...it works great for Code 55 rails, but has flange clearance problems with Code 40 rails.

I think I have the problem solved, but I need to build some Code 40 turnouts and test them before I post the solution.  I'll be doing that when I start laying my Code 40 industrial trackage for the next portion of my portable layout...the Devil's Slide/Ideal Concrete Plant/Wilhemina Pass sections this Fall.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Jbub]

@reinhardtjh  Thanks for saving me some typing effort!!

You seriously type that every time?  I would make a word document and copy and paste it. 

[robert3985]

You seriously type that every time?  I would make a word document and copy and paste it. 

Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.  Since I type at over 100 wpm, it doesn't take too long most of the time.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[ncbqguy]

Note to present and potential commercial turnout and track manufacturers..
Bob has built turnouts are what N Scale Turnouts should look like and how they should be constructed.
I cannot believe we have cars and locomotives that have correct Phase and road-specific prototype details and have to run them on OOO gauge/Arnold Rapido holdovers that do not look like prototype track in England, Germany, Japan much less North America. 
Note what Bob does for sizes, spacing, and particularly the headlock (ties where the switch throw is mounted) appearance and construction.
He solves the problems of handlaid track and the techniques could be ported to commercial production.
Yes, we have to modify the prototype to account for our oversized wheel profiles.  But turnouts do not have to look like American Flyer or Lionel toys.
Charlie Vlk

[Cajonpassfan]

You tell'm, Charlie! Right on!😎
Otto K.

[robert3985]

Note to present and potential commercial turnout and track manufacturers…..
Bob’s turnouts are what N Scale Turnouts should look like and how they should be constructed.
Why we have cars and locomotives that have correct Phase and road-specific prototype details and have to run them on OOO gauge/Arnold Rapido holdovers that do not look like prototype track in England, Germany, Japan much less North America. 
Note what Bob does for sizes, spacing, and particularly the headlock (ties where the switch throw is mounted) appearance and construction.
He solves the problems of handlaid track and the techniques could be ported to commercial production.
Yes, we have to modify the prototype to account for our oversized wheel profiles.  But turnouts don’t have to look like American Flyer or Lionel toys.
Charlie Vlk

Considering the source, I consider that QUITE the compliment! Thank you Charlie! 

However, the best looking turnouts I've ever seen in N-scale are the work of Ed Nadolski @ednadolski with etched tieplates and details of his own design that could also act as a monolithic assembly fixture (with a slight design change) and put my tieplate-less, spikeless PCB turnouts to shame...other than maybe my Code 55 throwbars....maybe.

Here's a link to the posting, which I bookmarked because I thought Ed's detail and construction techniques were revolutionary: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=34762.0

Just as a tease, I copied a couple of photos from Ed's posting...

Photo (1) - Ed's detailing at the headblocks, unblackened which more critically reveals the details:


Photo (2) - Ed's detailing at the frog, blackened:


Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[ncbqguy]

I would not be upset if they had ALL the bells and whistles….but Decent Geometry and Operation/Construction are the first step.
Charlie Vlk

[robert3985]

I would not be upset if they had ALL the bells and whistles….but Decent Geometry and Operation/Construction are the first step.
Charlie Vlk

I agree...and I am convinced that with some thought and design work, along with using actual prototype photos and drawings, that a 95% scale looking (and operationally excellent) series of N-scale turnouts AND flex track could be manufactured by any one of several manufacturers.

But, I doubt I'll live to see the day that happens...unless I win Powerball.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[mike_lawyer]

So far my building of the turnouts has gone really well.  I can see the benefit of adding an extra PCB tie at the H position even when using solid turnouts, because it helps to keep the geometry of the outer rails. 

[wazzou]

I’ve got Atlas TO’s I’d part with if anyone has any interest.
I plan to roll my own when a resumption of a layout happens.