> what is your switch machine of choice? Why?
> cost is a factor in the equation too!
> Bill Lane
"S"ir Bill.....
My observation is that you have two choices of switch motors: Tortoise and
SwitchMaster. These are the leading brands and seem to be the most popular.
There might be others, but I doubt they will have any advantages over the two
industry leaders.
The pros/cons are that one has a gear grinding noise while the other is nearly
soundless. One has auxiliary contacts built in while the other has auxiliary
contacts that can be attached to the motor if you want them. One provides a
weak pressure of the point against the stock rail and the other provides VERY
FIRM pressure. Cost is within a buck or two of each other and is probably not
the deciding factor. Both are easy to install although one requires drilling a
large hole beneath the throwbar and the other requires a small hole offset from
the throwbar. One has a larger throw distance and the other a smaller throw
distance, but adequate for S scale.
Personally, I prefer the quiet of the SwitchMaster and the firm pressure of the
points. I use aux contacts to illuminate the LEDs to indicate the turnout
route and also to tell the computer what color to make the signals. I use the
firm pressure to power the frog appropriately. No aux contacts needed for that
purpose. If you prefer not to have hinged points, then the firm pressure is a
BIG advantage. Hinged points, in my opinion, are the weak link in the chain
and are prone to failure and cause derailments if not aligned perfectly.
All has been working flawlessly for over 15 years on the Mighty NYC, but the
Turtles do work also.
Buy good stuff and install it properly and it will work just fine. Buy direct
in volume and ask for the dealer discount if you have a large order. Good way
to save a buck! Or, you can order the same motor as used by SwitchMaster
directly from the manufacturer of the motor. Order 100 of them and the price
plummets. Sell off the excess to your train buddies. Then go buy some brass
tubes and piano wire and make your own linkage exactly the same as what comes
with SwitchMaster. Save lotsa bucks going down this route, but requires more
of your time.
And your next decison is......??
Have fun...Ed L.
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