Appearance
On the plus side, the turnout is made of Nickel/Silver rail with black plastic ties which have molded spikes on every tie (the code 83 turnout comes with brown plastic ties). Simulated wood grain is molded into the ties. The Mark IV turnouts do away with the rivets found in the earlier Mark III turnouts, replacing them with far less obtrusive metal plates which keep the wing rail, stock rail, and point in electrical contact.
On the minus side, although the frog is metallic, it is also blackened causing it to unrealistically stand out against the shiny rail. Because they’re made of the same plastic material as the ties, the same color mismatch holds true for the guard rails. No head blocks are included on the turnout body, so they must be added if it is desired to have a simulated switch stand.
Functionality
A monumental positive is that the turnout passes a check with the NMRA standards gauge. The overall dimensions (more or less round with the overall length 13-1/2 inches, 1 inch center-to-center main track to 7.15 degree diverging track, end of diverging track 1-3/8″ from end of main track) make for easy planning.
For example, two turnouts used as a crossover have two inches between the parallel track’s centers, and measures 24 ¼ inches long. An Atlas switch machine (needed to throw the points) snaps securely onto the turnout’s ties on the opposite side of the diverging track, although I personally prefer the Mark III system which had the machine screw into place. Since the points, wing rail, and nearest stock rail are in electrical contact preempting the possibility of short circuits when metal wheels pass the thrown points, the turnout should be DCC compatible.
The price is also a huge plus: at the MSRP of $18.65, it is the least expensive ho scale ready-made #8 turnout offered by the 3 most popular track manufactures. Atlas also provides four rail joiners, one more than necessary.
Unfortunately, the high turnout ratio makes the electrically isolated frog long enough (2-1/2 inches) to keep three wheels of a 12-wheel diesel from picking up electricity, making engine stall an almost sure bet.
Because Atlas turnout controllers are momentary, an Atlas #200 relay (at $13.00) is needed to maintain electrical contact with the frog. There is a small metal tab mounted on the tie central to the frog on the outside of the straight section, with a through hole sized to accommodate a 2-56 screw. This is where the connection to the frog is made.
Alternatively, a Circutron switch machine could be used as it has a tab which when connected to the frog keeps the frog energized at the correct polarity (a hole in the turnout throw rod halfway between points accommodates the Circutron’s throw rod). The frog is also not quite at the same level at the rail head, and may cause the wheel to jump as it enters the frog. That problem should be easily corrected with a small file.
Atlas has produced an inexpensive HO scale #8 turnout that should operate very well provided the frog is electrified, and filed to match track height. If you’re particular about how prototypical your track looks, this turnout with its blackened frog and guardrails will likely not satisfy you, but be prepared to pay a lot more for a more realistic looking #8 turnout made in a factory.
