I use manual turnout controls exclusively on handlaid switches. A dpdt slide switch in line with the throwbar on the operator's side acts as the throw mechanism. On commercial turnouts I would apply whatever mechanical means I could devise to connect such a slide switch in line with the throwbar. I assemble all this, including the soldering of wires as required, on the workbench, test, then install as a unit. I have handmade turnouts made this way that have performed flawlessly and that have been installed and reinstalled in various settings, for 30+ years. I don't use the newer microswitches as I have found them unreliable - it may be that my soldering efforts melt some of the internal works - anyway with my failing eyesight, I've given up on them in my dotage. The older style larger switches, still available everywhere, have a body about 1"x1/2", and work just great, as they always have.
Cheers! -John Le Forestier, Toronto Join the worldwide 100th Birthday John Allen Memorial (JAM) Breakfast on July 2 2013! It's a traditional railroader's breakfast of flapjacks and jam from strawberries, the big crop 'round Monterey where John lived, with tea or coffee. Substitutes are ok of course. Enjoy your breakfast at home or form a group. Mark your calendar today. Take a little time on this special day to remember John, model railroading's Wizard of Monterey, creator of the astonishing Gorre and Daphetid Railroad, and take another look at some of the fabulous photographs and innovations he introduced to our great hobby. Help spread the word, not just the jam! It's easy. Tell your club, your online forums and groups about it. This initiative has been undertaken by a small group of volunteers - model railroaders. We depend completely on you to get the word out wherever you can at home and abroad, ASAP. Join us for the month of June. Paste this entire postscript into your email signature. Get the official poster, more info and downloadable files here: http://tinyurl.com/md57tum --- In [email protected], "donlhand@..." <donlhand@...> wrote: > > Members - During 2007 Dick Karnes provided a two-part article on this subject > in 1:64 Modeling Guide. I applied Dick's technique to Old Pullman turnouts > on each of two S-Mod standard modules I built, using Bullfrog Manual Turnout > Controls which provide a SPDT to power route the frog. > > These turnouts only access an industrial siding on each module. But I've > bolted the modules end-to-end, and want to add a "wing" to each end of the > pair, to create a switching layout on the back wall of our garage. That will > change the two-track mainline on the modules into a passing siding (in order > to run-around and serve additional industries on each wing). > > As an aside, I recently replaced the Bullfrog on one module (which had failed > electrically, probably by reason of rough handling of the module) with a > Caboose Industries ground throw Item 220S, which also has a SPDT and was > recommended in Dick's article. > > Also from Dick's article, "if one or both tracks are part of your main line > or a passing siding, .... you must gap the rails beyond the frog and provide > jumper wires to power them. .... The solution is to employ > two extra sets of SPST contacts on your turnout throw mechanism." > > Here's the question: What manual turnout throw mechanism provides two extra > sets of SPST contacts? > > Yes, Bullfrog provides a position for a second SPDT; but has anyone re-worked > that into two sets of SPST contacts? > > No, Caboose Industries 220S does not appear to be expandable to add two sets > of SPST contacts. > > I believe Tortoise and other electronic turnout machines have this capacity, > however I'd like to stay in a manual environment for both the modules and > their "wings". What solution can you share? > > Thanks. > > Don Hand > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
