Bob, Hinging the points to the closure rails with rail joiners provides another opportunity for poor electrical contact. Rather, I cut a notch out of the base of the rail to make the rail more flexible. That’s enough to allow the rail to bend sufficiently for operation with Tortoise or Bluepoint mechanisms. I also use stiffer wire (.047) for the link from the machine to the throw bar. And lastly, gap the points and the stock rail using the NASG/NMRA track gauge.
Roger Nulton From: shabbona_rr Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2013 1:19 PM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: tomalco turnouts Bob: Separating the points from the closure rails is probably the best way to go. I'vve done that with some Old Pullman switches I have because the points kept stressing the solder joints on the points and pulling them apart. I did come up with a way to ease the stress on the solder joints and make the point and closure rails a one-piece assembly. I described how in an issue of 1/64 Modeling Guide, but, if I have choice, I go with separate point rails. boB Nicholson _________________________________________________ --- In mailto:S-Scale%40yahoogroups.com, "coalsmoker2194" <coalsmoker2194@...> wrote: > > Anyone had any luck using Tortise machines to power Tomalco turnouts? The > point rails on mine are just too stiff for the Tortise machines to operate. > I've considered cutting the continuous point rail, and installing rail > joiners, like the point rails on the Shinohara turnouts. Any other remedies > out there? > > Bob Davis >
