Ross Custom Switch 054 and Atlas O 054 Switch Direct replacement?

I use RR Track to plan my layout.  Don't believe that the Atlas O54 switch and the Ross are direct replacements.

I am in the same boat as you.  I would like to pull the trigger and buy track for my new layout.  Understand that the Atlas track is supposed to ship in November, but if it is delayed any further, I might go with the Ross as it is readily available.

If anyone who has the inside scoop on any updates regarding the shipping of the Atlas turnouts, please comment, thank you

I would call Ross and explain the situation to them. I'm betting they can tweak the geometry of their 054s to give you a one-for-one change out. Be prepared to pay a setup fee.

Matthew:

The Ross O54 turnout uses a 30 degree curve (O54 curves are 30 degrees). Atlas O uses 22.5 degree curve on its turnout and its O54 curves.

If you use Atlas O O54 turnout you need 3 O54 atlas O curves to go straight (90 degree turn). 

If you use Ross O54 turnout you will need two Atlas O O54 curves plus two O81 7.5 degree curves to go straight.

The difference in total length will be about 3 inches (Ross being longer).

You can make the Ross turnouts work with little effort if you want to stay with Atlas O track or you can mix Ross and Atlas O track to get where you want (this is what I am doing on my layout).

good luck

Joe

I certainly wish I had the inside scoop as I am in the same boat. I need some O-54's. All I can say for sure is that my LHS has been able to get Atlas O track over the last few months, but no switches. They were very low on track and switches for a while and still are on switches. As of last Friday, they didn't know when the switches will be available? 

My LHS also told me they are caught up with the Atlas HO & N track and switches as they now have ample supplies of that in stock. They were completely out of that for a while. Maybe that's a good sign for the O gauge, but who knows? I wish someone from Atlas would give us an official update here on the switches.

I have some Atlas O Switches 054,  2 left and 2 rights. They are like new, as I went totally 072 as a minimum on my layout.  If interested, my email is (llevin64@yahoo.com). I also have extra track if needed...Low pricing prevails!!!!

I am strongly considering Ross for my next layout. I would love to see one of their switches up close and personal. I may order one just to look at it.

Matthew, I sent you an email.  I have some miscellaneous pieces left over from my building days..l will send pictures...thanks...Leapin Larry

Sorry,I had a Senior Moment, sent email to the wrong person...Sorry,I am in re-do mode.

thanks....Take Care, and thanks for your interest...my layout is finished and this is extra track...

I strongly considered using Atlas on my new layout.  However, after seeing how difficult it was to find Atlas product I opted to go Ross and Gargraves.  Happy with my decision as Ross was able to provide whatever I needed for my build.

Ross switches from what I have read on the forums and what little experience I have with Ross switches as I just have one Ross switch right now, Ross switches are much better(also more expensive, but justifiable) then Gargraves switches. With either Ross or Gargraves check the electrical for the center rail and outside rails as you may find dead spots if you don't check it.

However both Ross and Gargraves track are interchangeable with Gargraves track being less expensive.

Also Ross has double curve sized switches and Gargraves don't have that.

With either Gargraves or Ross switches you can use the DZ-1000 or DZ-2500 switch machine or you can opt out and buy the Tortoise Brand(under table mounting) of switch machine.

Lee Fritz

Thanks all for the suggestions.

I have no problem going to Ross switches and paying a little more for a better product.

My problem right now is switch dimensions.   Using SCARM,  if I lay a Ross 054 switch and a Atlas 054 on top of each other, they don't line up at all,  which throws my Track dimensions off completely,  ( I redid my current plan with all ROSS swotches and I had to use a ton of 1/2 054's and 4.5in filler sections to get everything to fit just right but I wasn't really happy with it overall. )

If you want to replace an Atlas 054 switch with a Ross 054 in an existing layout, a 4.685" (4 5/8") Atlas cut straight is added to the thru.

7.5° of an Atlas 054 curve needs to be added to the turnout. This would have a line segment of 3.53" of center from end to end.

Then it should fit directly. Cutting Atlas sectional and adding the tie\connector accessory to the cut end is not too bad. Especially to have a quality switch like Ross.

Hopefully, you saved a copy of your original plan. Open both the switch SCARM and your original SCARM plan on a second instance.Copy the fitted Ross from the SCARM and paste it into your original design and see if it replaces the Atlas 054 switches.

The 4.5" sectional straight is too short and that multiplies the 1/8"fit error throughout the layout. The 054 half curve is causing headaches, too. Too long.

The standard Atlas rail joiner mates to the Ross rails. 6057 is Atlas part# for the tie\clip ends for cut track. They may not be needed to join the cut end to the Ross switch.

I too will find some track spacing problems when replacing my Gargraves switches later this year or early next year, as Ross and Gargraves have different size dimensions in their switches. I just cut a section of Gargraves track, curve or straight, to fit where I need it as Gargraves track is easy to cut and fit.

I don't have SCARM program so for me it is trial and error fit. I have tried using track programs but I find them too difficult to use because of correct placement of curved sections and not being able to turn the track sections in the programs like I want them to be turned.

Lee Fritz

Lee,

In RR-Track, you can drop a piece of track on the plan, right-click it and rotate it.

In SCARM, you use the Start-point tool in the Toolbox and set that at proper angle and then connect a sectional piece.

Filling the gaps as you go is a good way to do it. That accommodates the actual build better.

Measuring the curve length is just the straight line from A to B of the center rail for the space you need to fill.

I studied some basic railway engineering and circle geometry to do it in the software. I prefer to calculate the fitment piece, rather than use the cut tool in software.

But, again, retrofitting in an as built is different that starting from scratch.

It appears the Ross switches are longer than GG, so you will be cutting the adjoining tracks.

Carl,

I will most likely be starting from scratch on my layout as I moved in May of this year and I am trying to get my new train area organized as well as an operating layout.

Have the upper level around the ceiling done and ceiling lights.

Lee Fritz

Matthew,

I just did a quick check in RR-Track and it looks like the RCS O-54 should replace the Atlas O-54 without much trouble.  In the diagram below I replace the Atlas switch with the RCS (all other track is Atlas) and overlaid them and they almost fit perfectly.  The only thing you need to do is trim the straight track and cut one Atlas curve to make it fit.

I wondered why SCARM and RRT differed in the length of the Atlas switch.

SCARM does not automatically attach the optional 4.5" thru extension. RRT automatically includes it.

So, I still think you need a cut piece on both and use the switch without the optional included straight as it will be too short (need 4.685") or leave a big gap in the rails somewhere.

From the catalog:

Lee, just shoot me an email if and when you need assistance or ideas.

You may already know all this, but if not it may shed some light on the differences in the two programs? Pardon my terminology, I don't know al the proper names for the switch exactly parts, but I am sure you will know what they are.

The original Atlas O-54 switches had a one piece thru section 14.5" long. Sometime later they changed the switches to 10" on the thru section and included a separate 4.5" piece that could be used if needed. The straight thru section would then replace one section of 10" track. 

RR-Track has two different O-54 switches (at least since version 5). One has the 14.5" straight thru (their standard 'O-54 switch') and the other is the 10" straight thru piece (their 'O-54 short' switch). I am not all that familiar with SCARM, but it sounds like SCARM has used the current production model of the Atlas O-54 switch with the 10" straight thru section, the 4.5" being optional (although still included with the switch).

Thanks for the track history. I see in RRT that they show the short version. I will ask Mixy about this. Atlas now offers his software with Atlas only track as their freeware for layout design. I haven't checked that version to see if Atlas instructed him to include the older long switch. It should be in the library for those that happen to have them.

Bottom line, whatever it takes,  Ross is the only 3rail switch I now use.