I have installed a few of the Caboose Industies 202S (sprung) ground throws on Peco and Atlas turnouts with good results. Just curious if there are any other good working ground throws out there. I noticed N.J. International, and Rix also produce what look to be working ground throws.
On Peco turnouts that can be reached to throw by hand, I leave the spring in.
Check out the ground throws made by Hump Yard that look like the levers used in a control tower. Their web site is http://www.humpyard.com/ If my layout was not already built, these are what I would use.
WilmJunc,
I use the Caboose ground throws on my BRVRR layout on the turnouts that are within easy reach. The rest are thrown with Atlas Twin-Coil motors.
On my grandson’s small layout, which is still under construction, I used ‘automotive choke cables’ for the turnouts. Economical and reliable. Pictures of the installations are on my website, on the tutorial for Zachary’s Branch Line.
Along the same lines you can make your own remote systems with tubing and wire. There are several illustrated examples on this forum. A search for ‘remote turnouts’ or ‘remote ground throws’ should yield results.
I believe the question was limited to ground throws. A slight twist to your question. Has anyone found any ground throws that are better than Caboose Hobbies’ ? I certainly have not. BTW, the N scale ones look more to scale for HO, but are harder to use or see if you have clumsiness digititus like some of us.
Tom,
Yes, I put two of them on a club layout and they lasted about 2 days before other members broke both of them. They are too fragile. And they are not painted and do not include the colored gems, either.
actually the caboose 208s ground throws have a longer throw that may work better with ho peco and atlas switches. they will hold the points tight and the spring on the peco’s does not have to be removed. i have been using them on my clubs layout for several years now with none breaking. i use the 206s on my nscale layout with atlas and peco switches. the caboose throws are very dependable especially on a club layout.
Thanks for the responses. I am happy with the Caboose 202S ground throws that I have installed. I am always curious if anyone “builds a better mouse trap.” I guess no one has tried the N.J. International, and Rix products. They looked pretty good in the Walthers catalog, I was just wondering if they worked.