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To Tortoise or not to (Tortoise). that is the question? Track and electrical/DCC
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MRH Contrib. Editor 1,931 posts fernpoint MRH Contrib. Editor 1,931 posts
fernpoint

When I’m busy on the Railroad I like to keep a background task running in my brain that is working on the next (or next but one) job to do.

Turnout control is on the ‘to think about’ list and I am having difficulty in making a decision.

I’m torn between 2 extremes I guess:

On the one hand we have the super cool visuals of the Tortoise and on the other hand we have the utter simplicity of a piece of 032 wire and a micro switch with finger control.

I like the idea of engaging with the railroad as much as possible and so moving switches manually but the down side is the ‘hand of god’ hitting some scenic details resulting in remedial work.

I have purchased a Tortoise to check it out and it is undeniably an excellent piece of kit.
Costs mount up, but this fortunately isn’t a deal breaker for me.

There are some interesting in-between alternatives – traditional ball and rod or Charlie Comstock’s rotating dowel and fishing line masterpiece for example.

For me these are halfway houses between the 2 extremes that I am considering (no criticism intended here – all approaches are valid!).

For information, I will be using Peco electrofrog turnouts and I want live frogs – super slow/smooth control of short wheelbase locomotives is a must for me.

I am very interested in the viewpoints of others. Ultimately I have to make my own decision, but  hopefully it can be a better informed one with some alternative view points.

Rob
Cornhill & Atherton RR
Double Deck Walk-in
1930’s Freelance Steam
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,957 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Dear Rob, Why must the

Dear Rob,

Why must the "ground throw" (switch, Caboose Industries Groundthrow, whatever) be mounted hard up against the turnout?

May I suggest you have a read of the following thread, I suspect it will help clarify some of the issues...

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/turnout-control-for-sidings-your-opinion-please-12188163

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr
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fernpoint MRH Contrib. Editor 1,931 posts
fernpoint

I like that !

Now there’s a brilliant idea……. I missed that thread

I don’t like the look of the Caboose Hobbies HO Ground throws: – too clunky, but the N gauge version is Ok.

I had prematurely dismissed them on the basis that the movement wouldn’t be enough for an HO turnout. But reading your thread has made me re-think. Perhaps the Peco over centre spring is enough to complete the turnout throw even with the reduced N scale movement?

I’ll get myself an N Scale throw and some brass tube and try a few experiments.

“If in doubt, try it out”

Thanks Prof

Rob 
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Terry Roberts Regular poster 345 posts
Terry Roberts

Caboose n scale throws

I try to use them exclusively--the sprung ones as I hand lay my switches so the actual throw is less as this looks better.  The current layout is only 12 inches wide so the switch controls are easy to reach.  I do plan building location so the controls are easy to reach and buildings are clear of hands.

My previous layout used tortoise machines in a lot of places, primarily on the main and in awkward to reach locations.  Caboose controls were on the edge of the layout and used piano wire in brass tubing to connect to the points.  This layout also had a very thin upper deck so linkages and supports were designed to mount torti in a variety of nonstandard, including horizontal ways.

Terry
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Will_Annand Super User 1,290 posts
Will_Annand

I will be doing it two

I will be doing it two ways.

I have some Tortoise switches already, but I am looking into the Bull Frog system from Fast Tracks (after all they are a sponsor here). http://www.handlaidtrack.com/BullFrog-Manual-Turnout-Control-s/2087.htm

For on the layout, I will be using the Osborn Models Switch Stands, very prototypical. http://www.osbornmodelkits.com/N_scale_railroad.htm

 

 

Will Annand

Modeling the Credit Valley Railway Circa 1900 in N scale.

http://www.rslaserkits.com/CVR

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/the-credit-valley-railway-v5-0-12213893?pid=1331432632
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Prof_Klyzlr Moderator 7,957 posts
Prof_Klyzlr

Dear Rob, The 216S throws

Dear Rob,

The 216S throws have worked for me in gauges from N, thru HOn30/HOn3/HO to On30 and O scale SG 2R. I generally _remove_ the PECO springs, but as long as you mount the throw with both the throw and the turnout set to "mid-throw"/"dead centre" (Hint: use scraps of stripwood to hold the turnout mid throw!) it should be a relative doddle to get everything lined-up and throwing reliably in both directions...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS I use the 216S (S for "spring", as in "over-travel take-up" spring) versions of the CI throws because the throws have _more_ travel than the turnouts have...
(Tested with PECO N setrack, N streamline, HO setrack, HO streamline, HO code 75 "finescale", HO "code 83 US geometry", and O SG 2R handlaid...)
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ctxmf74 Super User 15,963 posts
ctxmf74

Blue point controller ?

I'm using Blue point controllers on my new layout.  I wanted powered frogs and a simple installation. Since it's all narrow shelf benchwork I just throw them by reaching under the layout, no fascia control needed...DaveBranum

1990.jpg 
Read my blog
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