doing new layout with atlas track , , question can i use atlas o60 or o54 switches, with different radias curves for example does o60 switch have to be with 060 curves and so on or do i build as i go along to keep things uniform also can i use o36 switch in the yard to keep things closer and will a car that requires a o54 curve make through the smaller switch like the corrugated auto car which requires 054 curves.again just talking about going threw the switch. thank you
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Yes you can use different diameter curves with switches of different diameters. Like using O72 curves with O54 switches or O54 curves with O72 switches.
I don't think Atlas makes an O gauge switch in O60, unless it is new and just came out? (Atlas would be O63 if they did make one, to match their curves.)
As for your O54 auto racks going through an O36 switch, I would not try it and I don't think it would work. That's a pretty big difference, two track sizes. Maybe someone that has tried it will add to the thread. As Mike CT posted above, O54 switches would work well in your yard for your auto racks and not take up much space.
what size curves do you use in the layout, my space is about 18 feet long 16 feet wide so i really want to do it right this time around any help from others would be great. do i stick with all 054 switches to get more into the layout. THANK YOU for your time
You would want to size your curves and switches for the largest engine or rolling stock you ever plan to have. Most would say to use O72 minimum curves and switches so you would then be able to run anything made to date. If you have large steamers (or plan to have in the future) you will want to go with the largest curves you possibly can.
I have only modern diesels and will not be getting any steamers. I am using a minimum of O54 curves and switches which I think will be fine for my needs. My layout is currently only 6' x 16'. I plan to add at least another 6' x 16' in the future, but can't afford it all at once. Maybe in a few more years. I am using atlas track and switches for my entire layout. I really like the Atlas track products and the solid rails they use. The track is also very quiet.
At 16' x 18', yours is quite a bit larger so you should have plenty of room for larger curves if you need them. That is a good sized layout. Don't forget to add a means of access in the inner areas of your layout. Murphy's law: problems only happen in the areas that are hardest to reach. Also, many folks here (much wiser than I) advise against using too much track, leave some room for building, roads, scenery, etc.
There are a lot of great threads here on the forum about layouts, lots of good advice has been given in past threads by some really talented folks here.
You may want to try some of the track design software. At the time Atlas had a track design software that is no longer available. With the size of the room as a limit, I was able to do O-54 curves and smaller. Generally O-72 seems to be a good limit.
Original layout. O-54 with O-45 inner track. Blue line is the room, note the closet area bottom of first drawing. Pictures were done with Atlas Freeware 
Modified as additional space in the next room was used.
The last section that was added.
Camera walk around. Click on the underlined phrase to access. There is (one) O-45 switch and (two) O-36 switches on the layout, all the rest are O-54. There is a quarter turn/circle of O-63, and O-54, leading to the double track Atlas bridge across the door.
Have fun with your layout.
Mike CT
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