Weekend Update 12/8/24

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The issue with the #5s is that there was a batch with bad metallurgy in the frogs (from what I remember).

Otherwise they're just as ok as the other switches.

[davefoxx]

The issue with the #5s is that there was a batch with bad metallurgy in the frogs (from what I remember).

Otherwise they're just as ok as the other switches.

That and people complained about the gauge through the Atlas #5 turnouts.  But, the turnout was never the problem.  That problem was related to most N scale locomotives (at least back when I was in N scale) coming from the manufacturer with a back-to-back wheel spacing that was too narrow.  Spreading the wheels to proper gauge would address that problem.

DFF

[nickelplate759]

That and people complained about the gauge through the Atlas #5 turnouts.  But, the turnout was never the problem.  That problem was related to most N scale locomotives (at least back when I was in N scale) coming from the manufacturer with a back-to-back wheel spacing that was too narrow.  Spreading the wheels to proper gauge would address that problem.

DFF

I ran into exactly this problem with Atlas code 55 diamonds as well.  My Bachman 2-6-6-2 won't go through it because its drivers are gauged too narrow.

[rickb773]

Big Christmas Trees & Trains Wonderland festival coming up this weekend in Turnersville NJ.
New Jersey Southern set-up their T-Trak (5'x24') layout last night.



Super Jason managed to get 50+ feet of T-Trak modules into his Jeep.

NJS will set up a portion of their N-Trak layout Thursday (definitely requires the trailer) as will Atlantic County 4H with their modular HO layout.

It will be a walkthrough event with over 50 decorated Christmas trees and other layouts.
Expecting more than a thousand visitors.
Christmas themed auto show and firepits in the parking lot, music from a Philly radio station, carolers, singers, dancers, etc.
If you are in the area stop in and say hi!


Tentative events schedule (subject to change)
FRIDAY DECEMBER 13th
18:00 - 19:00 CAROLERS & FROSTY / RUDOLPH
19:00 - 20:00 CAROLERS
20:00 - 21:00 FIRE DEPT. with SANTA & FIRE TRUCK
 
SATURDAY DECEMBER 14th NJS ARRIVAL 10:00, PUBLIC HOURS 10:00 - 20:00
11:00 -12:00 CCA DANCE
12:00 -13:00 MRS CLAUS STORY TIME
15:00 - 17:00 WFIL LIVE MUSIC
17:00 - 20:00 WFIL (Christmas themed) CAR SHOW @ FIRE PITS

SUNDAY DECEMBER 15th 13:00 - 20:00
13:00 -14:00 CCA DANCE
14:00 -16:00 MRS CLAUS STORY TIME

The church is giving away FREE COCOA in the Cocoa Chalet
The church is giving away FREE CRAFTS in the Cocoa Chalet
Cocoa Chalet will house an eating area and some entertainment/music Vendors will be on site selling gifts/food for our guests

[mu26aeh]

Good suggestion - I tried substituting ME #6 instead of Atlas #5 and that only loses about 1" off of each yard track, which is acceptable.
The main issue there is that ME code 55 #6 are made of Unobtaininum right now (they've been on backorder for quite some time).  They are also quite expensive (circa $40 each), but as I don't need a lot of them that's not a showstopper.

@nickelplate759 I sent you a message regarding a ME turnout source if you hadn't seen it yet.

[Dave V]

The issue with the #5s is that there was a batch with bad metallurgy in the frogs (from what I remember).

Otherwise they're just as ok as the other switches.

I had a batch that wouldn't take solder. I tried a bunch of different solders, fluxes, and irons, all to no avail. That particular batch of Chinesium must have contained too many plastics and political dissidents.

[Mark5]

My Bachman 2-6-6-2 won't go through it because its drivers are gauged too narrow.

George, does the design of this loco make it impossible to bring the flanges into NMRA compliance? (I have one these in a box ... somewhere )

[nickelplate759]

I usually just attach the frog lead to the brass (?) ring that Atlas attaches to the frog.  I had one switch where that connection failed - then I drilled through the frog and ran a wire into it and soldered it from the top.

[nickelplate759]

George, does the design of this loco make it impossible to bring the flanges into NMRA compliance? (I have one these in a box ... somewhere )

I don't think it's impossible.  @mmagliaro did a whole writeup on how to fix this, but I haven't yet gotten around to doing it.

[Mark5]

I don't think it's impossible.  @mmagliaro did a whole writeup on how to fix this, but I haven't yet gotten around to doing it.

If Max was able to fix it, then it IS possible.    I've never had problems re-gauging loco wheels before, but I kept reading that owners couldn't fix the gauge problem (mine is a kitbash project that I am obviously slacking on).

Was the writeup somewhere on Railwire (my first search attempt failed), or was it in that N Steam book?

Thanks again,

Mark

[robert3985]

Regards the #5 vs. #7 in the yard ladders - is there any particular reason you can’t compromise on a #6? I’ve used #7’s in my Field, BC yard (I’ve got 19 feet on this wall) and #6’s in Golden where space is more limited. I don’t really understand the geometry of the switches, but it seems to me that there is a big jump in overall length of the switch between the #6 and the #7, as compared to the difference between a #5 and #6, and between a #7 and #8. I suggest you print out some paper templates of your various options (from FT for example) and lay them out and see what works.

@Angus Shops - Although this is logical, the overall length between Atlas55 "#7's" and ME Code55 #6's is minimal because of the much-too-short distance between the point of the frog and the throwbar on Atlas55's out-of-proportion "#7" turnouts.

Photo (1) - Comparo of overall length of Atlas55 "#7" much-too-short turnout (bottom) and ME Code55 #6, which is correctly proportioned (top):


The reason longer yard tracks are possible using the ME Code55 #6's is that even though the overall length of the two turnouts is about the same, the angle of divergence is steeper with the #6 so that they can be positioned closer together than the Atlas55's, with yard trackage gaining center-to-center operational distance (clearance) quicker.

Photo (2) - Comparo of A.R.E.A #7 and #6 Curved Split Switches from the "Engineering and Maintenance of Way Cyclopedia" - This is what the length difference should be:


So, using standard printed templates of correctly proportioned turnouts won't work if attempting to replicate Atlas55 turnouts, since ALL of them are much too short between the point of the frog to the throwbar.  However, no problemo with using printed templates to represent a standard #6 if you're planning on using ME Code55 #6 turnouts.

Photo (3) - UP Common Standard Yard Ladders using various #'s of turnouts:


Thought y'all might find this interesting...

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[SD452XR]

In the process of ripping out the last of the atlas switches on my layout. I've replaced all the atlas switches with hand laid switches built using fast track jigs. Couldn't be happier with the results. Simply had enough trying to get the atlas switches to work correctly. Congrats to those that use Atlas switches and made them work.

[Mike Madonna]

Bob,

Very useful and good info, as usual. Thanks!

[Jim Starbuck]

Well I hope you all aren’t too tired of hearing about Whitcomb switchers.
These have always been favorites of mine especially the Milwaukee 44 tonners. I acquired a 45 tonner from Mark aka Elgin Locomotive Works thinking it would be as close as I would ever get. That build went well and it’s actually ready for paint. During the 45 build lo and behold a friend designed and printed the elusive 44 tonner from plans in the MR Locomotive Cyclopedia. His prints are outstanding and I couldn’t wait to get going on this long awaited project. (sorry 45 Tonner, you’ll have to wait).
The sill was a blank slate to power it with ample room for the preferred 7x16 double shaft coreless motor. Bachmann 44t trucks fit the bill after a little modification.

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The motor rests in a styrene cradle with a groove cut to allow proper worm to gear engagement then soft set in canopy glue as I’ve done with other builds. A strip of brass was attached to uprights at either end to provide weight and also a shelf for the Lokpilot decoder and TCS powerkeeper in the cab.

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I added weight to the cab with lead blocks epoxied into the cheeks of the cab below the window line. Small bulkheads were added to the cab end of the hoods and shrink tubing added to be a conduit for light wiring before filling the remaining space with tungsten powder. A styrene screed ensured the powder was at the correct depth so as not to interfere with the brass strip. So far it weighs in at a nice 28.34 grams and there’s still the tungsten filled fuel tank, brass air tanks and brass exhaust stacks to add weight. My Bachmann 44t weighs 34.88 grams for comparison.

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While the powder was drying out, I installed pickup strips from a Kato 11-106 power chassis. They are glued to the sill in the center then the wires from the the decoder were routed through holes and soldered on.

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The couplers are MT Z scale and the screw hole is far enough inboard that they will double as shell securement with a tapped styrene block glued in the outboard end of the hoods.

It still needs refinement for more robust truck securement and a small adjustment in spacing but the first test run was quite positive. Note the noise in the video is my furnace running 10 feet away and the switcher runs near dead silent.

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There’s much more to do but the heavy lifting is done.
Here’s a family photo with the 45 ton sibling.

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[peteski]

Well I hope you all aren’t too tired of hearing about Whitcomb switchers.

Not at all Jim -  this is fascinating stuff. I love your clean construction methods.  Thus stuff deserves to be presented in a separate thread in the forum's  scratch-building section.