 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups General ModelsRailroadsRocketsRadio Controlled Air ModelsHelicoptersLand ModelsWater ModelsModelGeeks.com Contact UsLink To UsSearch & Site Map |
Model Forum / General / Railroads / November 2005Manual versus Automatic Turnouts
How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I know some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they actually have to get down and throw the manual switch. Myself, I definitely prefer the automatic ones, but I absolutely hate wiring the damn things up, it's so monotonous (and I usually plan for a lot of turnouts). I had automatic turnouts on my last layout, and I think it took quite a bit out of me to wire them all (ended up dampening my enthusiasm, you know?). I've actually been thinking of using manual turnouts on my next layout, just for the simple fact that I can slap them down quicker and be done with them. They're also cheaper, although that's not the major concern. I also found some of the automatic turnouts didn't work that well, they were kind of hit and miss. I did love operating the automatic ones though, not sure how I'd feel about using the manuals. > How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I know > some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they actually > have to get down and throw the manual switch. Manual for a couple of reasons. One - I like to follow my trains around the layout, it was built with that in mind. Two - I can't afford, or don't want to spend, something like Can$20 per switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model magazines insist on "turnout".) -- Cheers Roger T. Home of the Great Eastern Railway http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra/ >That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model magazines insist on "turnout" Dammit! I call them switches myself, but I forced myself to use turnout because that's what I thought they were "supposed" to be called. I will say one thing about the term turnout: It's clear what it is. I suppose that's why editors favor it. Switch could mean anything. > > How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I know > > some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they actually [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model > magazines insist on "turnout".) I'm not an editor! - I use switches to control electricity. - I mount switches on turnouts for route control. - I use switches to control points on turnouts. - I use point motors with end-off switching. Regards, Greg.P. >> switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model >> magazines insist on "turnout".) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > - I use switches to control points on turnouts. > - I use point motors with end-off switching. And I'm a model railroader who models a railroad and, like real railroaders, I "line the switch", not a "turnout". You go ahead and play trains and use your "turnouts", I'll operate my model railway and "line a switch". -- Cheers Roger T. Home of the Great Eastern Railway http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra/ > >> switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model > >> magazines insist on "turnout".) [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > You go ahead and play trains and use your "turnouts", I'll operate my model > railway and "line a switch". My prototype never used "switches" and as I understand it many US railways did not either. Regards, Greg.P. =8^) In the late 40s when I got into model railroading they were called switches and the relative size of the models were stated as O gauge, HO gauge etc. Except for those who like to argue, who cares -- it's not hard to figure out what you're talking about. Jim Bright > I'm not an editor! > - I use switches to control electricity. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Regards, > Greg.P. > Two - I can't afford, or don't want to spend, something like Can$20 per > switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model > magazines insist on "turnout".) Actually, I saw a BNSF track bulletin the other day that called one a turnout :) >> Two - I can't afford, or don't want to spend, something like Can$20 per >> switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model >> magazines insist on "turnout".) > >Actually, I saw a BNSF track bulletin the other day that called one a >turnout :) We called 'em turnouts on the Southern Railway when I was there. We also called 'em switches. Either one would do, but the official term was turnout. We even had specially built cars to carry pre-built turnout kits we called -get this- Turnout cars. Froggy, >We even had specially built cars to carry pre-built turnout kits we called >-get this- >Turnout cars. Amcrash is doing that now on the Keystone Corridor. They (or Pohl Corp) would make em and ship em wherever. I've also seen tractor and trailers hauling "snap track" to some places... >> How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I >> know some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > per switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of > model magazines insist on "turnout".) Arguable. :-) On the railway I work for they are called turnouts, and that terminology seems to be used throughout Australia these days. >switch (That's what _real_ railroaders call 'em. Only editors of model >magazines insist on "turnout".) Exactly... I've also hear from dispatchers: plant bend metal dam things won't work old Reading junk etc... > How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I know > some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they actually [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > well, they were kind of hit and miss. I did love operating the > automatic ones though, not sure how I'd feel about using the manuals. Electrify the main-line ones - that way you can set a route from anywhere on the layout you might want to. Operate the local sidings by hand. One nice thing about Peco turnouts and motors is that one fitted with a motor can still be operated by hand. (I mount mine onto the underside of the turnout with brown paper beneath the sleepers, which also allows removal of the ballasted turnout without total demolition) Iarwain: I used to control mine mechanically with a system I got from (I think) THE BOYS' BOOK OF MODEL RAILROADING, which was languishing at our public library. I used fishing line pulling on wire cranks, attached to popsicle-stick levers, and rubber bands to pull the switches back to the normal position. It worked...okay. That railroad is now defunct. I think the use of 'turnout' in model rr'ing cropped up to avoid confusion with electrical switches. I don't doubt 'turnout' was used somewhere in real railroading; possibly in England, though I think 'point' was the word there. Eric LaNal used to try to inject English terms into the Model Craftsman articles I have read, "fixing-hole", "mech", and that sort of thing. Cordially yours, Gerard P. > Iarwain: > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the > normal position. It worked...okay. That railroad is now defunct. What about throttle cables? Has anyone tried adapting these? Piano wire in plastic tubing might work too. There's got to be an easier way! Mac B. > What about throttle cables? Has anyone tried adapting these? Piano wire > in plastic tubing might work too. There's got to be an easier way! Both should work, but are, IMNSHO, overkill. I'm just constructing my first manual turnout controls (I used to use twin coil machines) and I plan on using plain old coathanger wire and bell cranks. Maybe some in brass tubing with a bell crank at each end for large elevation changes, but even there a bent wire might work. Of course, all my turnouts will be within 18" of the fascia on my new layout. polar bear spake thus: >> I used to control mine mechanically with a system I got from (I >> think) THE BOYS' BOOK OF MODEL RAILROADING, which was languishing [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > What about throttle cables? Has anyone tried adapting these? Piano wire > in plastic tubing might work too. There's got to be an easier way! Yeah, or maybe even bicycle brake cable; you could use bike gearshift levers to operate the switches[1]. Could probably get these for next to nothing. [1] Nobody I've ever talked to calls them "turnouts", even if that's the "official" nomenclature. Perhaps the brass uses that term ...  Signature... asked to comment on Michigan governor George Romney's remark that the army had "brainwashed" him in Vietnam—-a remark which knocked Romney out of the running for the Republican nomination—-McCarthy quipped, "I think in that case a light rinse would have been sufficient." (Eugene McCarthy, onetime candidate for POTUS) The folks who build model airplanes use a control device consisting of a yellow rod inside of a red tube. There are fittings and bell cranks and all sorts of clevises and so on to move the thrust around corners. It is easily adaptable to switch control, and I have used it with success in the past for that application. I seem to remember that it is called "goldenrod" or some such. Hit the hobby shop and feign an interest in model planes and see what you come up with. > The folks who build model airplanes use a control device consisting of > a yellow rod inside of a red tube. There are fittings and bell cranks [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > is called "goldenrod" or some such. Hit the hobby shop and feign an > interest in model planes and see what you come up with. Looked pretty expensive last time I was on their web site. SignatureSteve >The folks who build model airplanes use a control device consisting of >a yellow rod inside of a red tube. There are fittings and bell cranks [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >is called "goldenrod" or some such. Hit the hobby shop and feign an >interest in model planes and see what you come up with. Wish i read this before i posted: www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/hornet_parts_116935_products.htm > > Iarwain: > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > What about throttle cables? Has anyone tried adapting these? Piano wire > in plastic tubing might work too. There's got to be an easier way! Piano wire in plastic tube is pretty much standard in England. Choke cables used to be cheap at car wreckers - only problem was that the knobs are different on each model. Not many recent cars actually had manual chokes. Rod works well - you need a die to thread the ends for nuts. Mount a cheap slide switch under the tie bar, with a peice of wire drilled into the plastic knob and the threaded rod through the knob along the line of movement. The other end of the rod comes through the layout facia and a knob from the hardware store fitted. The problem of thread/string/fishing line is that it changes length with time and temperature so point positions aren't guarenteed. Regards, Greg.P. > > > Iarwain: > > > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Regards, > Greg.P. Old Hockey Games!!! You know... the kind with the stamped metal players? Those had bevel gears in little casings that were used to turn the players. 10 of them actually. You might even be able to rig them so your switch stand marker turns as well. Hmm... maybe a manual turntable application here too? Off to the junk shop we go! Mac B. >What about throttle cables? Has anyone tried adapting these? Piano wire >in plastic tubing might work too. There's got to be an easier way! Old lawn mower throttles - yes >I used to control mine mechanically with a system I got from (I think) >THE BOYS' BOOK OF MODEL RAILROADING, which was languishing [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >the >normal position. It worked...okay. That railroad is now defunct. the R/C airplane hobby has something to offer in this regard. They use plastic bell cranks and steel threaded rods that lend themselves nicely to moving remote points. www.aeromicro.com/Catalog/hornet_parts_116935_products.htm I like the motorized switches, but can't afford all the motors yet. So, I am putting down the track and drilling for the motor for the future, while using ground throws now. > How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I know > some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they actually [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > well, they were kind of hit and miss. I did love operating the > automatic ones though, not sure how I'd feel about using the manuals. >How do you feel about using manual versus automatic turnouts? I know >some people feel like they're part of the railroad if they actually >have to get down and throw the manual switch. Either depending on the situation. If it's realistic switching layout you prefer then manual is the way to go. If it's the large CTC type operation then automatic. OF course you could do both and have local control panels which could be "activated to you" during switching... I myself would choose the latter scenario as i do love to sit and watch em run from time to time... Folks: Here's a project. Using the mechanical rod or wire methods described, construct an old-style armstrong interlocking plant. It has actually been done, but not often! For real amusement, set it up to route power as well... Cordially yours: Gerard P. > Here's a project. Using the mechanical rod or wire methods described, > construct an old-style armstrong interlocking plant. It has actually > been done, but not often! > > For real amusement, set it up to route power as well... Arrrgghhhh! I don't believe in tabloid supernatural stuff, but I almost have to believe you're channeling Terry Flynn! SignatureSteve > Folks: > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > For real amusement, set it up to route power as well... The Brits do that stuff all the time! |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2012 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.