I originally experienced a stalling issue with an Atlas 0-80 curved switch back in 2002. Looking at where the locomotive lost power I was able to determine increasing the length of the center rail by less than a ¼” would allow the locomotive through without a problem.
So initially I tried soldering a piece of copper to the center rail where it meets the “V” shaped piece of plastic, however, I soon realized this would not work as I was unable to get the solder to stick,
The next thing I did was to form a small piece of aluminum foil over part of the center rail extending it slightly over the plastic piece and found this worked fine. The locomotive passed through without issue. Unfortunately, the foil would ware out quickly.
Later while attending a train show in Edison N.J. where Atlas had a set up, I spoke with a representative regarding this and a bunch of other Atlas switch issues. He informed me that Atlas was working on a solution that involved small extensions that would snap on over the center rail and lengthen it slightly to alleviate the stalling. This of course never happened. Instead Atlas released the non-derailing board some 5 or so years later.
It is now some 17 years later, and this problem still exists. I no longer have any Atlas switches on my layout having switched all 25 of them out for Ross. Between the stalling issues and over time the loss of power through the switch along with switch machines that would go bad even if never used, I gave up on Atlas switches. However, the track itself is very nice and works well with Ross products.
Since switching to Ross I’ve had no switch related issues. There’s no need to power the switch on all three sides to guard against losing power through it. No need to purchase additional non-derailing boards (which by the way are no longer available) or new momentary switch actuators to prevent switch machine burn out (these devices are also no longer available).
And best of all there made in the USA and cost less. Plus Ross stands behind there products 100%.