Model
Railroading Techniques, Building Projects & Tips
Turnouts and the
Control Mechanisms Used
Placing and controlling turnouts is not an exact
science. In fact, there are probably as many ways to control turnouts, as
there are model railroads. The purpose of this mini-clinic is to outline
how we install our turnout controls and the processes involved in ensuring
reliable and long-lasting operation of each turnout on the railroad.
The first step was to determine just what
mechanism we would use to throw the turnouts. After careful review of the
options available on the market and having toured enough railroads to know what
worked best versus what did not, we made the decision to go with Tortoise Switch
machines. Tortoise is incredibly reliable, it exerts enough force to
easily push or pull the turnout in the desired direction and perhaps best of
all, can easily be replaced if it wears out. Many will dismiss it due to
cost, that can not be overlooked. At today's prices, around $13 per
machine, it adds up very quickly. However, if you watch the price on
websites such as eBay or the various internet hobby shops, you can usually find
them for much less. Buying in bulk is the best bet to lower the per
machine cost. Another way to go is to look for them at local swap meets.
Both new and used machines are readily found at swap meets. Given the
reliability of the Tortoise, do not be afraid to buy used machines.
In our system, we have some basic needs, our
materials list (per turnout) includes the following:
PART I
As we begin the discussion of
the turnout control installation, be sure to click open the picture at the left
for both visual and written detail. Each picture in the series will have
its own information. The process begins above the table.
Step
1. If your turnout has a center hole in the throwbar, you can
skip this step, otherwise, drill a hole as close to the center of the throwbar
as possible. The hole should be only slightly larger than the diameter of
the music wire. Too large a hole will allow too much movement of the wire
when thrown by the tortoise.
Step
2. Drill a hole two ties back from the throwbar all the way
through the roadbed and subroadbed. This hole should be slightly larger
than the 1/16th brass tube. Make a practice hole on scrap wood to ensure
that you can push the tube through with slight pressure. You want it to go
through the hole with pressure, but not drop through on its own.
Step
3. Drop a length of tube into the hole and then press down at
the top so that the open end is equal to the top of the tie. Then go under
the table and mark the tube at 1/4 inch depth below the table bottom.
Pull the tube back out and use a dremel or similar cutoff tool to cut the tube
to length. File any burrs left from the cutting process.
Step
4. Make some 5 minute epoxy. Have some toothpicks handy
for spreading the epoxy.
Step
5. Insert the tube at the top of the hole about 1/4 inch into
the hole. This protects the bottom edge of the tube from epoxy blocking
the opening. Spread some epoxy on the tube to about half way. Do not
put epoxy on the entire tube or the excess will fill up the opposite hole.
Push the tube into the hole slowly, if excess epoxy is prevalent, wisk it away
with the toothpick. Push the tube down to the top of the tie. Let
dry thoroughly.
Step
6. Bend a 1/16th inch long 90 degree bend in the end of the music
wire using needle nose pliers. Place this "hook point" in the center hole
of the throwbar and move turnout points back and forth to check that music wire
does not drag along roadbed. If it does, the length of your music wire
needs to be trimmed.
Step
7. With the turnout points centered in the track (not off to
one side, VERY important!), place the hook point into the center hole and the
opposite end toward the tube. Take your pliers and grab the music wire on
the points side of the tube. Get a firm grip at that point then bend the
remaining wire parallel to the hook point. This step will take some
practice as bending the wire so that it fits down the tube and still allows the
hook point to sit in the center hole is not the easiest thing to master, but
once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard either.
Step
8. Now insert the long end of the wire down the tube and test
that the hook point fits snug, but does not bind. Throw the throwbar back
and forth to check for fit and ease of throw. It should be snug, not
loose. If it appears to bind, try altering the angle of the short length
of wire between the tube and the hook. Once satisfied with the throw, your
ready for Part II.
Continue to Part II
