Peco, Roco, Tillig, TRIX, Kato.

 

New Walthers, Peco, Micro Engineering, or make your own. One of the best things I ever did with my hobby time was to learn how to craft a reliable, in-spec, and fully functional turnout in the geometry needed at a particular, and unique, spot on my layout.

How new is your Atlas? I've hear that the newest issue/model is quite good.

 

Make your own! See Proto87 stores for kits. No expensive templates needed.

 

Doug

There are many opinions about 'best' turnouts. But, most agree
that there are few better than Peco. I had more than 20 Peco
Insulfrogs on my DCC layout for years. There were NO turnout
caused derails during that time...plenty of clumsy old man
causes tho.

Don

 

Excellent! Derailments are the problem. Will they hookup to my atlas 83 track?

 

I vote for Peco. I’ve previously used Atlas and Walthers/Shinohara. My brother uses Central Valley, which are the highest detailed of any, but they’re kits needing assembly.
Peco has three types, Insul (insulated/plastic) frogs, Electro(metal/powered) frogs, and a new type but I forgot what it’s called. Anyway, they can all be wired a variety of ways and are designed to be easily modified for this way or that.
Another plus IMHO is the Peco solenoid switch motors. While they’re an old design with an audible snap, they mount directly to the bottom of the ties in little slots, so there’s no concern about proper alignment of switch motors.
Without any switch machine, the points are spring loaded, so they won’t “walk” out of position.
Lastly, unlike the Walthers turnouts I had, Peco ties are the same thickness as Atlas flex track. Walthers are a bit thinner, creating an abrupt edge where the rails meet.

There are review & comparison vids on youtube also. I would look there for additional information & opinions before deciding which are best for your situation. There is no right or wrong of course, just good, better, & best. Which is which differs per person.

 

I found as much as anything that the problem with Atlas turnouts is the Atlas switch machines, which don't hold the points in place firmly enough sometimes.

 

Peco offera code 83 turnouts...they should match your Atlas 83 track. My code 100
Pecos went well with Atlas code 100 flex...there may be a tiny rail height difference that
you can easily level out. Pecos are worth the effort.

Don

 

Perfect! Pecos it is!

 

I second what others have said: Peco (their new Streamline turnouts) and the new Walthers (if you can find them - sold out most everywhere, back ordered on the Walthers website). They both have one-piece point rails rather than two-piece, which is more realistic. Micro Engineering turnouts are also great, they also have "ladder" turnouts for yards. I use all three brands on my layout. Haven't used Atlas for years, haven't tried the "new" turnouts, but to my eye they still aren't very prototypical.

 

According to an e-mail I recently received from Walthers, they have lots of stock in transit.... most of it sitting in a container ship off the Port of Long Beach!

 

Well I tried a Peco switch in place of an Atlas that was derailing my Bachmann Berkshire all of the time. What a difference! Works great! Im sold on Peco!