rtr12 posted:Probably a dumb question, but you do have the little plastic ramp pieces (included with the switches) installed at the diverging part of the switch. I imagine you probably do, but thought I'd ask just in case. They do make a difference. I got some used switches that didn't have this piece and sometimes the pickup rollers can get stuck in the gap and cause problems. I things all worked out now, but beware of this if you ever purchase any used switches.
I also have all Atlas track and switches and like your friend have had very few problems running both MTH and Lionel engines. I have diesels only though and no steam so that could sure make a difference too. I do have one MTH Railking Scale SD45 that has one pick up roller that clunks going in only one direction on only one switch. It doesn't derail or spark, it's just like it is hitting a bump or something. It goes through all the other switches on the layout in either direction without any problems.
Pretty sure it's the pick up roller, but I also have to think it's something with the switch as well because that is the only spot on the whole layout where it does this. I haven't solved the problem, but it really happens much too infrequently to worry much about, for me anyway. I fiddled with it for quite a while at first, but got used to it or just run it the other direction on the loop of track where the switch is located.
These things can be quite frustrating though so I feel for you there and wish you good luck.
Different Lionel engines with roller spacing hang up in gaps in the Atlas switches. If you look at a Gargraves switch, they are configured to allow the roller to not drop into the gap. Atlas could make a slight change in their switches to eliminate this problem, but don’t seem to be interested to do so. I also have engines with wheel flanges being to big, which is the engine manufacturer problem, not ant switch manufacturer problem. I love Atlas track overall, but I do believe they could make some minor changes to their switches to eliminate their roller problems. I filled in the gaps with plastic strips to make the correction.
