Atlas Code 55 Switches

[Dave Schneider]

Dave .. I got my 10 in today . they are packaged the same way . . but .. I have several old stock (4-5 year old) packages in the basement -- the blister pack is identical .. so this isn't an error ..  it actually is how its supposed to be

Thanks for the info John. I don't have any older packages and my memory isn't what it used to be!

Best wishes, Dave

[Chris333]

Dang, I took that pic and drew 2 straight lines on it and it does seem that each leg bends almost the same amount. Does this have something to do with letting the mold cool down before ejecting the part?

From what I remember (it's been a while    )  The number #5s used to have narrow flange ways and there was a little slop where the points attached to the throw bar. I never had a problem with #5s doing this, but some #11s had bent points that snapped when I tried to straighten them.

[eric220]

In regards to the blister pack, I'm pretty sure they do it that way so that they can use the same package for left and right turnouts. The straight leg is supposed to be in the middle of the wedge with the diverging route along the edge.

I'd be interested to see one out of the package along a straight edge.

[Chris333]

[eric220]

@Chris333, yes, the turnout definitely seems torqued in the photo, but it's behind the blister pack, and it's hard to account for any camera distortion. Hence, I'd be interested to see one against a straight frame of reference within the photo.

[C855B]

... The plastic blister and cardboard layout is also odd. It looks like it was built for a wye turnout. ...

Intentional, and the same thing with the #7s and 10s - the blister is designed to fit both a left or right.

[John]

Here are some I got .. from Lot 1430 @ MBK

[eric220]

Not as bad as what it looks like in DFF's photos, but yikes!

[basementcalling]

Time to learn to roll our own.

[davefoxx]

Hey guys,

The turnout packaging is designed to be used for lefts and rights, which explains why it looks like its for wyes.  That is correct.

As for the turnouts, I bought sixteen: nine #5Rs and seven #5Ls.  Out of that batch (which I think is also 1430, John), three #5Rs and one #5L are in this condition.  There is no camera distortion in the picture I posted.  That is a fair and accurate representation of what I'm seeing.  I would open the packages up, but Paul Graf contacted me and asked me to return the turnout in the picture I posted on the previous page.  He said that it's not packaged properly and the headblocks are screwed up, too.  He said that they have people in China this week, and he'd like for them to address this.  He offered to send me a replacement turnout.  I emailed him back to ask if I can return all four.

This makes me happy.  Excellent customer service more than makes up for this inconvenience.  By the way, I have way too much invested in N scale and Atlas Code 55 track to even consider going in another direction (except for handlaying track, which I don't have the time to do for the amount of track I need).  So, thank you, Atlas, and thank you, Paul.

DFF

[peteski]

Hey guys,

The turnout packaging is designed to be used for lefts and rights, which explains why it looks like its for wyes.  That is correct.
.... He said that it's not packaged properly and the headblocks are screwed up, too.

I can see that.  Looks like the properly packaged turnouts (left or right) would have the straight leg track end captured by the indentation in the center of the blister pack.

[robert3985]

Peco still makes fantastic turnouts.  After seeing this new atlas stock I sure am glad I decided to go peco rather than wait for more atlas.

Uhhh...Peco fake 55 turnouts are "fantastic"????? ROTFLMGO!! 

Every time I look at an RTR turnout in N-scale from ANY manufacturer, it makes me ecstatically happy that I build my own.  All RTR turnouts in N-scale are substandard both operationally and cosmetically IMO.

And, only Micro Engineering flex is just barely acceptable as opposed to when they were Rail Craft when they made truly "fantastic" flex. I'm glad I bought a batch of it while it was still available.

Time to learn to roll our own.

I agree with this statement, but, it's really way past time.  Those of us who roll our own have had trains up and running for a long time with no concerns whatsoever about any manufacturer's China QC problems as far as track products are concerned.

Just sayin'....

[central.vermont]

What looks like happened with the packaging here in this photo is it is a right hand switch packaged as a left hand switch. You will notice that the indent in the blister pack on the right should be where  the straight of the switch would go whether it is a right or left. The diverging track should NOT be captured under the indent.
As to the straightness of the switch it sure looks like they still have an issue.

Jon

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Yep, that's what I think too.

I really think there is room for more than one C55 maker. BLMA, FVM anyone?

[Kisatchie]

Somewhere, I forget where, it was pointed out that MB Klein seemingly sold about 1000 turnouts in about half an hour. Now I'm wondering if they had to pull them out and send them back to Atlas.


Hmm... they need a new
country to manufacture
their turnouts...