W&W posted: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.
Yes, I didn't think to mention roller spacing, but I know that can cause problems. I have seen others here post about using plastruct strips to fix their Atlas switch problems (possibly other brands as well?). Atlas is the only track system that I really have any experience with and I really like it as well. I've only seen a couple of other brands of switches and haven't had ahold of any long enough to compare the differences. I do know that the curved switches are a problem, heard that from several folks here. Too much gap between the diverging routes, but I guess that is somewhat due to the nature of the beasts, being on curves.
Most of my fleet is MTH, only a couple Lionels in the stable. I also have only diesels, mostly Premier, but a couple of RK Scale in there too. Don't know if that makes a difference, but most folks have steamers too. I have really only had a problem with the one engine I mentioned above and it wasn't major. Could be luck of the draw on which engines I have too. They are all 2012 or newer so maybe I just got lucky, so far anyway? I don't doubt that someday I will have more problems with something track related.
