Switch locks

I use manually operated switches, but do not lock them.

I would think you would need a low density of switches, lest the fascia look like those bridges in Paris where people put locks on the railings.

Dave

Thanks for input. Seeing as all the layout's switches are easily reached, then all are manually thrown via Caboose Industries.

I am only considering locks on the main line switches. The mini-lock would be hung on a small hook that would be mounted on the fascia in front of the switch they "lock".

From what I've seen, the mini-lock simply hangs on a hook and the operator merely goes through the mechanics of unlocking the lock, hanging it back on the hook, then closes the lock and re-hangs it on its hook once finished.

I don't think the locks physically lock any mechanism.

I "think" I might be interested in using switch locks... but then again... I dunno'.

Andre

Electrical Locks

I have a bunch of switches that will (eventually) connect to JMRI and allow m to give local control to the local crew. Obviously you would need electric switch motors and more than one operator - not a line wolf like me. 
 

It will be fun to try at some point as my visible switches on the mainline can be counted with one hand. 

  "the mini-lock simply

Fiddling with an actual lock on the fascia would be distracting to me. I simulate these kinds of things( switch locks, pumping air,walking the train,etc) by pausing a while and imagining the miniature crew doing the job. I use flextime and decide how long I want to spend at the imaginary tasks , sometimes more and sometimes less depending on how I feel  at the time.  .....DaveB

DaveB...

Well, there's that to consider, too. (More of a distraction than an enhancement.)

Got my second longest time (since 1974)  RR friend coming over tomorrow afternoon for an op session and spending the night. I'll bounce this "switch lock" idea off him. My "crews" will be the one's that ultimately have to mess with it. IF they think it would detract, then that's all I need to know.

Andre

Over caboose catch?

An idea I believe I saw on here somewhere is a little pivoting hook wire that can block the handle on the ground throw from moving.  If I recall the original post it was a large scale ground throw on a little shelf with the wire hooks on each side, don’t remember the rest of the mechanism or unfortunately who the poster was, but it looked like a neat idea.

Edit: Found it - Thomas Carroll:  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/facia-mounted-turnout-throw-12217604

I think it would be pretty easy to experiment with some little hook wires on an HO caboose ground throw and see if using them as “locks” added something or not.

Finger flicking killed my locks

I'm in DaveB's camp on this, but not without some wistful regret. A few years ago I was going down the long and winding road to custom fabricated fascia-mounted switchstand levers (with locks) ala Trevor Marshall, driving both the points and rotating masts on the scale switchstands via parallelogram linkage on modified Bullfrogs. I was even making plans to install a full size prototype switchstand in my classroom so operators could replicate the lift/rotate/drop action of the old non-ergonomic switchstands (quite a few still in operation hereabouts).

Then, as a "temporary" expedient to get operational quicker I just used the finger flick action on Micro Engineering turnouts and left all of the fancy gizmos for future development. I do have a couple of critical junction turnouts at the edge of the layout where I use Caboose Industries throws to distinguish them functionally, and a yard throat "interlocking" operated from push-pull fascia knobs, but no locks. 

To DaveB's point, one development that has delayed action on these gizmos are my ProtoThrottles: my operators readily slow everything down because the ProtoThrottle makes it so satisfying to move with coasting and braking action and sound. They pause to "walk" from the caboose or cab to the switch, etc. I may never get around to the gizmos at this rate. 

Jeff Allen

Replies...

Ken:

Wow. Elaborate. I don't think I would ever have it in me to devote the energy, time, and $$ into such. When I started my info-quest, I was thinking "quick n' cheap" version(s) of implementing switch locks. (Already found packs of one dozen jewelry box locks for something like 7 bucks!)

Jeff:

I definitely get the point you and DaveB raise. For my crews, just their ability to run on a layout with engines that are all sound equipped has caused them to slow up. (They said so themselves.) They now enjoy the sounds and slower speeds that I've enjoyed for decades in model railroading (well, except "back when" the sounds were in my head!)

Switch locks may not be for me.

Andre

Definitely recommend

Andre, I was really skeptical about switch locks for the longest time, but once I finally dove in, and then found a workable solution for my turnout controls, I have really loved using them. My solution was documented here .

I know some - especially non-hobbyists - view switch locks as being over the top.  My family really doesn't get it. However, I think the fact that switch locks have no real purpose in model railroading is a big part of their attraction for me.  They only make sense in the prototype world, and at least for the way I'm wired, that causes the related locking and unlocking to transport me trackside mentally, since my brain tells me that that's where I must be.

For CI ground throws, I would second Ken's recommendation regarding some sort of latch that swings over the throw.  Doesn't have to be anything complex or expensive at all.  Something as simple as a piece of piano wire that swings out of the way to allow a turnout to be thrown would do the trick.

I am (slowly) building a

I am (slowly) building a pretty large layout.  And as such a lot of it will be out of site from me during open houses.  So I am thinking of adding locks to stop someone from throwing a switch that could result in a major derailment.

-Doug M

I use mini locks on the fascia

I have them setup so they can add to an operating session. They don't actually lock the switch, so I can choose to use them or not during a session. A couple of posts covering my locks are here:

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/lots-of-progress-on-the-office-park-zone-12207281

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/lots-of-progress-on-the-office-park-zone-12207281

Craig

Switchlocks: The Decision

Feedback from my most faithful op friend that's a retired railroader:

He really didn't have any interest at all in adding yet more to keep up with. He mentioned that he has enough to focus on as it is without adding more complexity that isn't truly functional. He felt I had a good balance of feeling like railroading without it becoming too much like "work" used to be. He's there for the fun, not to relive his career.

As a fellow retired RR'er, I am inclined to agree.

THUS: There will be no switch lock's added to the layout at this time.

I realize this puts a certain amount of "risk" involved in that some rascal of a youth could throw a switch in the attempt to cause havoc, but fortunately, the public at large that live along the Ozark Sub are very good at being self governing, having a good sense of right and wrong, and live by them. Besides, the young are more interested in bagging some squirrels for the pot, or catching some nice small mouth or large perch from Possum Creek for the frying pan, than they are in creating mischief.

It's great living in the Ozarks in the autumn of 1964.

Andre

Switch locks

This is how a friend and I do it. The lock and key stay attached with the chain. 
 

Switch locks

Since most turnout actuators

Since most turnout actuators don't require power to maintain pressure on the points,there are much simpler solutions . One is to use a plug and socket , like a jones or an audio plug and socket . you simply run all the power for the switches in that area thru it . When a switch needs to be thrown the plug / jumper is inserted . It has the advantage that all the engineers carry the same "key/plug", and the "key/plug" will unlock any switch , so you don't have to carry a bunch of keys .

If you want to use a bonafide key then I would use a key switch .

It has the advantage of being easy and dirt cheap to implement  https://www.ebay.com/itm/264945046579?hash=item3daff49433:g:b7MAAOSwktpftwmB

You can lock out multiple turnouts with one key.

My attempt

I did experiment with switch locks on my last layout about 4-5 years ago. I used a cabinet lock and a 1” u bolt fastened to the fascia. The idea was for the physical operation of the lock directly operated the switch. However, I ran into a major problem: because my turnouts required pressure to be maintained against the points in either alignment, the excess movement in the lock mechanism itself wouldn’t hold the points firm. 
 

I wasn’t willing to spend a fortune on higher quality locks that were all keyed alike, so I killed the project and eventually salvaged the layout ahead of a move. 
in retrospect, I believe they would have been a distraction on a medium size layout for informal operations.

Powered switches

If you use switches that at powered by an electrical machine (Tortise or solenoid) the "key" can be a phono plug wired so that when you insert in it a phono plug by the switch it completes the switch and "unlocks" the circuit.

Nuance vs nuisance

I like the idea of switch locks. On a small layout they seem like a good idea to slow the pace and enjoy creating a prototype feel. We have discussed this amongst our operations group and have decided that locks would be a nuisance to most operators and guests. 
 

I believe they have their place and I’m amazed at the creativity some of you have shown in your locking mechanisms. But I’d like to know what your operators actually think about this extra step? Have any of you removed locks as a result of feedback?

Switch locks

It’s a two-faceted use. One is to be more prototypical, as almost all switches are locked unless they are in yards or behind derails. The other is to slow down crews who have tendencies to run ahead throwing all turnouts in the path of the train like they are Mighty Mouse. Also, with two-man crews, it gives the ground man something to do other than simply flip the switches.

Why not both?

Dear MRHers,

RE "Nuance Vs Nuisance"

It's always struck me that the simple "padlock thru an eye bolt on the fascia" technique is kinda the best of both worlds?

- You get the physicality of the actual "key in lock" padlock-undoing action for those "prototype op" sessions

- As the padlocks are not actually mechanically or electrically interlocked with the operation of the (model) turnouts,
one is not obliged/forced to "manipulate the padlocks" during Staging, "run for fun", or "guest viewing" sessions.
(IE where mandatory padlock use might get old, inconvenient, or "slow me down/get in my way").

The only difference, and delineating thing is the self-discipline to use/manipulate the padlocks at the "appropriate" times/sessions...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS if one was to deploy an "electrically interlocked" padlock system,
running an extra wire around the layout perimeter
(or for the fully-integrated JMRI/LCC-esque crowd, appropriate turnout interfaces and coding),

to allow a global/single-switch "padlock bypass" mode would be useful, maybe?

Pat’s idea plus spring (sprung?) switches

I really like Pat’s idea and the points would stay if a spring clip was added. My mainline switches are all powered so the electrical key shown in a previous post will defeat the NCE connection and allow the switch to be controlled locally with a rotary switch and push button (sort of a simulation of the AS&S panel). More soon when the plaster is put away for a while. 

I designed and had 3D printed scale locks and keys

These are attached to the Central Valley switch stands and actually work.

Emma the keyasaurus carries the keys on a saddle type arrangement so the crews have to wait for her to show up at a given switch.  They then bribe her with grass clippings to get the key.  It's all part of the Union's mandatory rest rules between train movements.  If she's in the mood, she will help shunt cars.

All kidding aside, I really like Mark Nieting's solution for prototype fidelity. Surprisingly, my travels around various yards in New Westminster though reveal many turnouts without locks!

I really feel like a noob

I really feel like a noob when I read some of these topics, and I've been following the hobby since Jr High in the 70's!

Me too Jim!

Hence my joke post about scale locks and keys.  I'm still evaluating state of the art track and turnouts.

But one of the first things I'm going to try and print when I get an SLA printer are locks and keys!