There are several answers available here. one is , as mentioned above, to use straight track to seperate the turnouts.
Atlas turnouts have a throwbar extending on the straight side of the turnout. The throw bar is snapped on to the points, you can gently un-snap the points, take the throwbar out, reverse it, and snap it back in place.
You can mount all the switchstands to one side, so a brakeman walking on the ground does not have to cross the tracks to throw switches. Use scale ties, stripwood, or styrene strips to build up a mounting base (criss-cross strips in both directions, kind of like this #). Use piano wire...regular copper or brass wire is too soft and will wear out soon... to connect the throwbar on the switchstand with the throwbar on the turnout. You can trim away the excess throwbar at the turnout, but leave it about 1/4" longer than the ties so it can move back and forth.