Model Forum / General / Railroads / June 2004

Australian-based Modratec are to release lever frame kits for model railways
with real mechanical locking which you design yourself using their
downloadable software tool.

http://www.modratec.com/

No pictures of the finished product yet, but the design software (Follow
SigScribe4 link) looks good already. It has an intuitive 'signalbox'
interface, and a logical visual procedure for creating an interlocking
through a series of steps: Draw the track layout; Add signals to the
diagram; Connect signal arms and points to levers; Select the auto-traced
routes for each signal lever to create the interlocks; engage simulated
interlocking to test and debug. . .  It works and allows a degree of freedom
to the designer, though the layout diagram drawing and numbering could be
easier. If you know a little about signalling (operating or engineering, but
particularly where the signals go on the layout) you should pick it up.
Theres a price quote feature which sends the file to a server for a reply.

I want to build one of their kits even though I have no model railway...
yet. It'd make a good 'executive toy' anyway!

I think what we need is a (preferably low cost) mechanical point lever
incorporating a switch for the frog suitable for use with piano wire
or bowden cable type point control. For example the helical groove
drum type where the lever passes over the top and the mechanism is
parallel with the track, make the lever frommetal and add copper
wipers to either side and you could switch frog polarity. I am
currently experimenting with something similar, if it works I'llpost
the plans. I have used electrical switches, I mount them on the edge
of the board and once I realised they are easier to mount flat (ie on
their side)  araldited to a thin metal plate (screwed in place via
holes in the plate) life got easier, but they canot easily be banked
up inside a signal box.