The Ground Throw Problem

[pfs]

Craig

Modern would rock as well!

[Mark5]

I dunno, that stand looks a bit large - is that actual size?

[Kev1340]

Atlas switches require an external switch control.  Yeah, Peco doesn't leave anything unsightly... except the turnout...

 

Craig - looks good! Are they ready yet ;D

[sizemore]

Hmmmmm.....Swtich Stands....

The question is not whether they are pretty, the real question is functionality...

The S.

[Mark5]

Another Q: how are the circles suspended mid-air? Anti-gravity?

[Chris333]

One of Bernie's dummy stands:

The wire poking up right behind the stand is what really throws the turnout.

[ednadolski]

One of Bernie's dummy stands:

The wire poking up right behind the stand is what really throws the turnout.

Ya gotta love how the scale-sized stand really adds to the sense of mass and realism.   Just imagine that picture with an oversized switch stand superimposed over the smaller one.....

Ed

[TiVoPrince]

Another Q: how are the circles suspended mid-air? Anti-gravity?

Just
like the coyote in that cartoon.  Once you mention it gravity takes over.  Glad that I'm still blissfully ignorant...

[trainbuff1]

I'm sorry but I got to tell you.. I don't mind the Caboose Ind. grond throws.. This is why, I like to be able to throw a switch like the real thing.. It gives you the sence that you are realy working for the railroad.. The micro switches that Lee is using are ok.. But I got to say the ground throws are just fine.. This brings you to another thing, the real railroad doesn't have anything like this..

What I do is cut the throw back a little putting it closer to the switch.. Look at my yard lead, heck it ain't all that bad..



Todd Treaster, NY,S&A

[Bruce Bird]

Blue Point mechanisms, folks!  Nothing to distract the eye and a pair of contacts to boot!

Now Craig, will that lovely CAD drawing work hand-in-hand with Blue Points?

Bruce

[Dave V]

All good points...  Todd, I really like your shortened ground throws.  Are you powering the frogs?

Blue point would be good if I weren't moving the layout so much.  I take it to shows, but I also have to move it every 18-36 months as the military moves me...  So the more flush I can leave the underside, the better.

As for switch stands at Enola, what ones that weren't pneumatic (related to the humps) were pretty tiny.

I'm going to experiment a little and see.  Chris' dwarf switchstand looks fantastic!

[trainbuff1]

Dave, I think there would be a way to put that micro switch under the end of the regular ground throw like I use.. Then you could hook your frog power to that.. Just a thought though.. I don't think what you have looks all that bad.. You know me , the good enough is good enough.. If we had every thing perfect it wouldn't be fun at all..

Todd Treaster, NY,S&A

[AlkemScaleModels]

One of Bernie's dummy stands:

The wire poking up right behind the stand is what really throws the turnout.

Too bad that detail part is no longer available. I may have to redo the etch.

It is possible to make them operable with lots of fiddling. I did one to show that it could be done.

[Mark5]

One of Bernie's dummy stands:

<see pic above>

Too bad that detail part is no longer available. I may have to redo the etch.

I hope so! This would give me more options.

On my last real layout, the turnouts were controlled by cables (clutch cables in this case) with contacts to direct the juice to the frog. (the old brass tube through the roadbed trick - not sure how well this would work for the foamers)

I gotta start looking around to see how cable technology has or hasn't evolved - I'd prefer that route as I get into laying the track this year.

[SD452XR]

Another Q: how are the circles suspended mid-air? Anti-gravity?

Milwaukee Road style too please!!!