Atlas HO Code 100 18" Radius Remote Snap-Switch – Right – ATL851

Atlas HO Code 100 18" Radius Remote Snap-Switch – Right – ATL851 is a right-hand HO scale sectional track switch designed for easily adding passing sidings, industrial spurs, yard tracks and other branching routes to Atlas Code 100 layouts. Featuring 18" radius Snap-Switch geometry, nickel silver rail, black ties and an attached remote-control switch machine, ATL851 provides a convenient way to add electrically controlled switching to an HO scale railroad.

Unlike Atlas Customline #4, #6 or #8 turnouts, the Snap-Switch is designed around Atlas sectional-track geometry. Atlas includes a 1/3 18" radius curved track section that completes the curved leg to the equivalent geometry of a standard Atlas 18" radius curved track section.

What Is an Atlas Snap-Switch?

An Atlas Snap-Switch is a sectional-track switch designed to integrate easily into Atlas HO Code 100 Snap-Track arrangements. Rather than using numbered frog geometry like a #4, #6 or #8 Customline turnout, the Snap-Switch uses 18" radius curved-track geometry for its diverging route.

This makes it especially useful for traditional sectional-track layouts, starter layouts and compact HO railroads built around Atlas 18" radius curves and standard straight track sections.

Right-Hand Snap-Switch

ATL851 is a right-hand Snap-Switch. When approaching from the single-track or point end, one route continues generally forward while the diverging route curves toward the right.

This makes ATL851 the right-hand counterpart to the ATL850 left-hand Remote Snap-Switch and allows model railroaders to create branching routes in either direction.

18" Radius Sectional Track Geometry

The curved route of ATL851 is based around 18" radius geometry. An included 1/3 18" radius curved track section completes the curved leg so it equals the geometry of a standard Atlas 18" radius curved section.

This is an important distinction from numbered Atlas Customline turnouts. The Snap-Switch is specifically designed to work conveniently with Atlas sectional track and should not automatically be substituted for a #4, #6 or #8 turnout in a track plan.

Remote-Control Switch Machine Included

ATL851 comes with a remote-control switch machine attached. Once properly wired, the switch can be thrown electrically from a layout control panel rather than requiring the operator to reach over the layout and move the points at the turnout itself.

This makes the Remote Snap-Switch particularly useful for switches located farther from the front edge of a layout or anywhere centralized turnout control is preferred.

Plastic Frog

The Atlas Remote Snap-Switch uses a plastic frog that cannot be electrically powered. This differs from Atlas Customline turnouts equipped with metal frogs that can be powered.

Modelers operating locomotives with especially short wheelbases or limited electrical pickup should keep the insulated frog section in mind when planning their trackwork and operations.

Atlas HO Code 100 Right Remote Snap-Switch Features

• HO Scale sectional track switch
• Right-hand configuration
• 18" radius Snap-Switch geometry
• Remote-control switch machine attached
• Allows electrical switch operation from a control panel
• Includes a 1/3 18" radius curved track section
• Included section completes the curved leg to standard 18" radius geometry
• Plastic frog
• Frog cannot be electrically powered
• Cut-outs for rail joiners
• Solid nickel silver rail
• Black injection-molded plastic ties
• Code 100 rail profile
• Designed for Atlas HO Code 100 sectional track layouts
• Atlas manufacturer item number 0851
• Fusion Scale Hobbies SKU ATL851

Add a Passing Track or Siding

Atlas designed its Snap-Switch geometry to make common sectional-track arrangements straightforward to build. Atlas notes that a Snap-Switch can replace a 9" straight track section when adding a passing track or siding.

Using left- and right-hand Snap-Switches makes it easy to create passing sidings, parallel tracks and other useful operating arrangements while maintaining predictable Atlas sectional-track geometry.

Using a Snap-Switch in an 18" Radius Curve

ATL851 can also be incorporated directly into an 18" radius curved track arrangement. Atlas specifies that when replacing a standard 18" radius curved section with a Snap-Switch, a 1-1/2" straight track section should be added to the opposite side to maintain the intended track geometry.

This compatibility with common Atlas sectional-track pieces makes the Snap-Switch especially useful for compact layouts and traditional HO track plans based around fixed-radius curves.

Snap-Switch vs. Customline Turnout

An Atlas Snap-Switch is not the same as a numbered Customline turnout. Snap-Switches use sectional-track and 18" radius geometry, while Atlas Customline #4, #6 and #8 turnouts use numbered frog geometry.

If you are following an existing Atlas track plan, use the specific type of switch called for in the plan rather than assuming that a Snap-Switch and a numbered Customline turnout can be substituted for one another.

Consider Your Equipment's Minimum Radius

Because the diverging route uses 18" radius geometry, check the minimum-radius recommendations for the locomotives and rolling stock you plan to operate. While many HO scale models are designed to negotiate 18" radius track, longer locomotives, passenger cars and other large equipment may require or operate better on broader curves and turnout geometry.

Build with Atlas HO Code 100 Turnouts

Browse our complete Atlas HO Code 100 Turnouts & Switches collection for Remote Snap-Switches, Customline turnouts, curved turnouts and additional switching options.

Combine ATL851 with products from our Atlas HO Code 100 Track collection to build or expand a complete HO scale track system.

Complete Your Snap-Track Layout

Pair this switch with Atlas HO Code 100 Straight Track and Atlas HO Code 100 Curved Track to build sidings, spurs, passing tracks and complete sectional-track arrangements.

For custom track alignment beyond fixed sectional pieces, browse Atlas HO Code 100 Flex Track.

HO Scale Track Accessories

For rail joiners, terminal connections, track nails and additional installation supplies, browse Atlas HO Track Accessories.

Atlas Code 100 track can also be installed over Atlas HO Cork Roadbed to provide a raised track profile and foundation for ballast and finished scenery.

Shop HO Scale Model Railroad Track

Explore our complete Atlas HO Scale Track selection or browse Model Railroad Track for additional track systems, turnouts and layout-building components.

Shop additional products from Atlas Model Railroad and browse Atlas In-Stock Products.