Bike brake cable ground throw

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

seems to work great but a tad to big

what do you think

Ken

2

Ken,

It will certainly work, but seems large and cumbersome. You might try doing away with the surface switch machine and operate the turnout(s) with an automotive choke cable from below. They are available at most auto parts stores for about $5.00 and are easily adapted to the push-pull operation needed for the manual operation of turnouts. You might look into the flexible ‘push rods’ used in model airplanes too. They come in several varieties and are reasonably priced too. Most can be adapted to MRR use.

I used a couple of them on my grandsons layout to operate his turnouts. Not as complicated as your layout but the operation is the same. Here’s a link to the photo essay on my website on the installation and operation of the choke cable turnout throws.

http://intergate.com/~acoates149/ZBL.html

Good luck,

3

you made what I was thinking I had a feeling it was too bulky

thanks for that shot I think your right the choke looks much better

I have some small ground throws here and I may use just the cable I

like your idea under the layout is way better

K

4

The basic principle is good, but it needs to tunnel underground. I understand that you need that ugly black Atlas ‘thing’ to provide a positive lock, since the brake cable slips in its guide tube. With a regular choke cable, or using a regular ground throw instead of the bike brake handle, you could move the throwbar directly and lose the ‘thing’ (which has an affinity for 4-X-X valve motion and low/wide steps on long passenger cars.)

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

5

well its better than the duckunder and flip thing I have been doing

now I may use that second track more

K

6

Nice gag!!!

7

Great idea, but under the table has to be the answer, and the price is right eh???

8

Right idea. Wrong side of the table. Someone here has done this on their layout. I remember they have round wood ball handles along their benchwork to throw the turnouts. My layout is perfect for this method, but I still might go with DCC turnout control.

9

ok gag

is that groundthrow at garage

or garbage as groundthrow

or get attahere groundthrow

K

10

hey brvr

Zachary is doing a fantastic job on that layout

keep us posted on his great work

Ken