joef

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Please post any comments or questions you have about this article here.

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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Reply 0
calflash

operating switchstand

Does the video in Wolfgang's article on operating switchstands play? I don't get anything when I click on it.

Cal

Reply 0
BlueHillsCPR

It worked for me

The video worked for me.  My question is, are there supposed to be two videos, one of the testing and one of the finished switch stand operating?  All I get with either video link is the test video.

Reply 0
joef

Release candidates had the wrong video

Release candidate versions of the Standard Edition had the wrong video for the second video. If you download the Standard Edition now, you'll get the right video for the second video on the switchstand article.

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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Reply 0
joef

Which version of the magazine?

Quote:

Does the video in Wolfgang's article on operating switchstands play? I don't get anything when I click on it.

Cal

Cal:

Which version of the magazine is giving you the trouble? Standard or Embedded edition?

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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Reply 0
BlueHillsCPR

Release candidates

Quote:

Release candidate versions of the Standard Edition had the wrong video for the second video. If you download the Standard Edition now, you'll get the right video for the second video on the switchstand article.

Right you are Joe!  It was the pre-release version of the Standard Edition that I was reading.  Now I have that cleared away and I only have the embedded version on my system to avoid confusion!

The videos are correct and working on my system with the embedded version.

Reply 0
marcoperforar

How about the single-headblock turnout?

Not being mechanically-inclined, I wonder how/if Wolfgang's operating stands can be adopted for use with an SP-style, single-headblock-tie arrangement, with the switch stand perpendicular rather than parallel to the track.  Can 90-degree rotation be obtained within the constraint of the interior of the model stand?

 

Mark Pierce

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Rio Grande Dan

Mark I would say yes using

Mark I would say yes using the same set up and in the Magazine you just need to set the switch stand at a 90 degree angle and the flag will still do a 1/4 turn to change the direction of the flag.

Dan

Rio Grande Dan

Reply 0
Wolfgang

I will do one

It should work. I will make one of this type at my new Fiddletown. And report.

Wolfgang

Reply 0
Babbo_Enzo

Mark, great picture. I want

Mark, great picture. I want use to add a rotating switchstand to my N sclae Fasttracks turnouts... if I can identify such thinks in N!

Any idea ? I've a Detail Ass.. but is .... well better no comment!

Any model etched in brass kit ?

Cheers and Happy V.2010 (this new release to all

Enzo

Reply 0
perra_e

I'm looking for exactly the

I'm looking for exactly the same!

Enzo, if you find somthing please let me know.

--Per

Reply 0
Babbo_Enzo

NJ International Inc :

NJ International Inc : http://www.njinternational.com/nswitch.htm

http://www.nscalesupply.com/Nji/NJI.html
 
Not perfect for an SP prototype, but less than nothing?
Otherways.... can be manufactured in low volume :
- Styrene prototype - resin molder + brass pipe & target
- Photo etched brass
 
I've found also this : http://www.micronart.com/N2045_Ground_Throw.html but I've never see in person.

Cheers

Enzo

http://valleybeforesilicon.blogspot.com/

http://xoomer.virgilio.it/enzo_fortuna/SP_Steam_MT.htm

Reply 0
c-and-s-fan

Well done, Wolfgang

I like watching your YouTube videos.  I went back and looked at a few and can see the targets moving.  These switchstands look great.  I was wondering what you use to move the points.  Are they motorized or do you use push rods or what?

Dave Zamzow
Fort Collins, CO
The C&S lives!

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Reply 0
BlueHillsCPR

Wolfgang has some great ideas!

Quote:

I like watching your YouTube videos.  I went back and looked at a few and can see the targets moving.  These switchstands look great.  I was wondering what you use to move the points.  Are they motorized or do you use push rods or what?

Dave,

I like watching Wolgang's videos too!

As I recall, he has some info and videos on his website too, see the link in his signature above.  If I remember correctly he uses manual controls and they are on his site too I think.

Reply 0
Wolfgang

SP-style, single-headblock-tie

Here're pictures with a single-headblock-tie. The "rod" is 0,3mm piano wire. This is one turnout at my new H0n3 fiddle yard. I've laid there even one track code 40.

Wolfgang

Reply 0
Wolfgang

stub switch

And the latest...

my stub switch at Silver Creek module, with a working switch stand.

I like the details, look at the linked big picture.

Wolfgang

Reply 0
mran8

Mole II

Proto87 sells a switch machine that has the mechanism to run the turnout and the switch stand.  I just finished assembling a mole II but have not installed it  yet.  

Reply 0
kenheywood
 
I based my experiments upon Wolfgang's method.
I downloaded this MRH article.
I watched the video and found an 'old' (2008) website :   http://www.westportterminal.de/switchstands.html.
 
Dimensions were not mentioned in the article probably because there are so many variations on turnouts.
I made modifications for specifically Peco turnouts and Central Valley #1604 Switch Stand.
 
The link to the throwbar, Wolfgang called for 0.012" music wire.
I used 0.015". Not big deal.
The critical thing is the length.
You want to get the stand out to the end of the support ties away from overhanging rolling stock.
Make a couple 90º bends in that pushrod (opposite directions)  about 2mm.
CA one end to the throwbar. Leave the other end pointed up.
 
IMG_5870.jpeg
 
The other component is the crank.
Wolfgang used brass stock and 0.020" brass wire.
I made my first one with brass.
Brass is hard enough to drill accurately by hand. And I broke several #76 bits.
Okay, the first one was OK. But not a happy camper.
 
I tried 0.020" styrene sheet as the crank.
I drilled my holes and CA'd the 0.020" steel music wire in the pivot hole.
It was strong enough.
 
Now, the detail: Depends upon your turnout.
I use Peco Code 83. The throw is 1/8" (3.175mm).
The throw has to move the crank so that the pivot post moves 90º.
That determines the position that throwbar wire has to be connected on the crank.
A little math puts the hole for the throwbar wire a little more than 1mm from the pivot.
I defy you to be able to drill that hole 1.5mm from the pivot with accuracy by hand.
So, about 2mm will suffice (for the Peco turnout).
 
That's why Wolfgang doesn't really specify measurements.
 
CRANK:
I start with a piece of styrene roughly 2mm by 3mm.
I drill #76 holes near the edge and another about 2mm or so from that hole.
The #76 hole is a tight fit for the 0.020" music wire. CA it.
 
IMG_5863.jpeg
 
 
BASE:
The hole in the CV #1604 base is too big and the pivot wobbles.
I use a piece of styrene 5mm X 15mm as a base, center drilled #70 to clear the 0.020" wire .
 
IMG_5864.jpeg
 
LAYOUT ASSEMBLY:
I slipped the music wire and crank into the base.
I make sure that the turnout is set so that the points are toward the stand.
The touchy part is getting the 0.015" wire into the crank.
When you catch the crank, position the base so that the crank extends away from the points.
That position ensures that the crank goes in the correct direction when the turnout throws.
Fix the base on the ties with CA (carefully).
 
IMG_5871.jpeg
 
The prepared #1604 switch stand is slipped over the music wire, centered over the wire, and fixed with CA.
 
IMG_5875.jpeg
 
I used a piece of Scotch tape to verify that the pivot wire shifts 90º when the turnout operates.
Once verified,  attach an indicator target and paint.
 
IMG_5876.jpeg
 
 
Reply 0
John P
I don't know, using a crank mechanism is so normal. If you're really weird, do it with a helical cam:
 

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