Atlas HO Code 100 18" Radius Remote Snap-Switch – Left – ATL850

Atlas HO Code 100 18" Radius Remote Snap-Switch – Left – ATL850 is a left-hand HO scale sectional track switch designed to make adding passing sidings, spurs and branching routes to Atlas Code 100 Snap-Track layouts simple. Featuring 18" radius Snap-Switch geometry, nickel silver rail, black ties and an attached remote-control switch machine, ATL850 provides an easy way to add remotely operated switching to an HO scale layout.

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 with the switch so the curved leg can be completed to match standard 18" radius sectional track geometry.

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, this switch is based around 18" radius curved-track geometry.

This makes Snap-Switches particularly convenient for traditional sectional-track layouts, starter layouts, compact HO railroads and track plans built around Atlas 18" radius curves and standard straight track sections.

Left-Hand Snap-Switch

ATL850 is a left-hand Snap-Switch. When approaching from the single-track or point end, one route continues generally forward while the diverging route curves toward the left.

The switch can be used to create passing sidings, industrial spurs, yard tracks and other branching routes without requiring custom-cut track to complete a basic Atlas sectional-track arrangement.

18" Radius Sectional Track Geometry

The curved route of ATL850 is based around 18" radius geometry. Atlas includes a 1/3 18" radius curved section that completes the curved leg to the equivalent geometry of a standard Atlas 18" radius curved track section.

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

Remote-Control Switch Machine Included

ATL850 comes with a remote-control switch machine attached. Once properly wired, the turnout can be thrown electrically from a control panel rather than requiring the operator to reach over the layout and move the points directly at the switch.

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

Plastic Frog

Unlike Atlas Customline turnouts equipped with a metal frog, the Atlas Remote Snap-Switch uses a plastic frog that cannot be electrically powered.

This simplifies the electrical arrangement of the Snap-Switch, but modelers using locomotives with particularly short wheelbases or limited electrical pickup should keep the insulated frog section in mind when planning operations.

Atlas HO Code 100 Left Remote Snap-Switch Features

• HO Scale sectional track switch
• Left-hand configuration
• 18" radius Snap-Switch geometry
• Remote-control switch machine attached
• Allows electrical turnout operation from a control panel
• Includes a 1/3 18" radius curved track section
• Included curved section completes the curved leg to 18" radius sectional-track geometry
• Plastic frog
• Frog cannot be electrically powered
• Cut-outs provided 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 0850
• Fusion Scale Hobbies SKU ATL850

Easy Passing Siding Installation

Atlas specifically designed the Snap-Switch system to make common sectional-track arrangements easy to build. For example, a pair of appropriately oriented Snap-Switches can be incorporated into a straight route to create a passing siding or parallel track.

Because the switch is designed around Atlas Snap-Track geometry, it is particularly convenient for layouts where maintaining predictable sectional-track alignment is more important than creating custom turnout geometry.

Using a Snap-Switch in an 18" Radius Curve

ATL850 can also be incorporated into track plans using 18" radius curves. Atlas notes that when replacing a standard 18" radius curved section with a Snap-Switch, a 1-1/2" straight track section is added to the opposite side to maintain the intended track geometry.

This ability to integrate with common Atlas sectional-track pieces makes the Snap-Switch useful for compact layouts and traditional HO track plans built around fixed-radius curves.

Snap-Switch vs. Customline Turnout

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

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

Consider Your Equipment's Minimum Radius

Because the diverging route is based around an 18" radius curve, check the minimum-radius recommendations for your locomotives and rolling stock. Many HO scale models can operate on 18" radius track, while longer locomotives, passenger cars and other large equipment may require or perform better on broader curves and turnout geometry.

Build with Atlas HO Code 100 Track

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

Combine ATL850 with products from our Atlas HO Code 100 Track collection to build or expand a complete sectional or flex-track HO layout.

Complete Your Snap-Track Layout

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

For custom track alignment beyond the 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 create 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.