Switch Machine Help Needed.

The Atlas machine really isn't bad, just that the standard mounting is a real kludge with the machine sitting beside the turnout. You may want to consider mounting the machine pointing up and throwing the points from underneath the track or making a linkage that transfers the motion from underneath the layout. There are several ways of doing this from the "overarm" which pivots so that the arm above the ties throws back and forth with the axis of rotation vertical to a bellcrank where the pivot is horizontal and parallel to the rails and the points are thrown from the underneath of the throwbar.
-- Why isn't there an Ozone Hole at the NORTH Pole?

Mike, The Tortoise switch machines work very well, are easy to install and make powering up the frog easy if you want or need to do it. Once installed they are maintenance free for the most part and seem to last forever. The only thing you might do to make them even better is to use a little heavier gauge wire than what comes with them to move the points. The Atlas switch machines are not cheap because they will add $4.00 to the cost of each of the replacement switch machines. Go with the Tortoise or another quality machine to start with even if you can only buy a few at a time. A poor man can't afford cheap boots. Bruce

Bob, The Atlas switch machine aren't bad.....but they aren't any good either at least under the table. I used five of them under a Time saver layout. Mounted horizontally or vertically with cleat type mounts and endless tweaking they would not always move the points far enough consistently or hold the points to the stock rail firmly enough. I could not get any them to operate perfectly for very long. They may be OK for a turnout that is not used but for anything that will be they're not so hot. If top mounted as they are designed for they may actually work for a while. For me best use I've found for them is to help fill the trash can. Bruce

Do consider Roto-Motor, Switchmaster or Scale Shops - some as low as less than $7 in kit form ---
-- Bruce
Those who speak most of progress measure it by quantity and not by quality. -- George Santayana

I'm using Atlas Slim-Line # 4 turnouts. I looked at Tortoise on eBay but they're $7 to $9 each. OUCH!
Any idea about Atlas Switch Machines that go for about $4.00?
I know I may be cheating myself by buying inferior stuff, ....but I'm building this layout on a minimum budget.(Who isn't, I suppose).
Would appreciate some specific recommendations, (Tortoise or otherwise)!
ThanX, Mike

He's Baaaaack!

$7-$9 each is not a bad price, considering that the retail price is $16 and many 'sale' prices are around $12-$13 each.
Even at those prices they are superior to the Atlas motors. They won't burn out since they are stall motors. They don't need anything else to power the frog and signals or panel lights. They mount out of the way under the table and they almost install themselves.
If it were me, I would buy the tortoises as I was able. Oh, wait, that is exactly what I did. (G)
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