ELECTRICAL SWITCH TO USE WITH TOROISE

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I will be installing six Circuitron Tortoise switch machines in a flat yard area (14" x 130") close to the edge of the layout. I would like to mount the electrical switches into the fascia rather on a panel or using DCC decoders. The fascia is made up of four layers of corrugated covered with Wet N Shape, brown paint, and a slurry of white glue, water and sifted dirt.

What is the best electrical switch to use with the Tortoise? DPDT?

What is the best way to mount the switch into the fascia of the layout?

Thanks.

2
  1. Yes, you want DPDT. You will need a power source near by though (not track power)
  2. Sounds thick. Most switches only have a neck that is about 1/4" - 3/8" long. Not sure what you can do here. Maybe a mini control panel “on top” of the fascia.

-Tom

3

Worse than thick, your fascia sounds a little “mushy.” Maybe not to the touch, but when you put in a toggle switch, you will be exerting torque (a twisting motion) every time you throw the switch. It needs a solid panel to withstand this motion. I’d suggest the mini-control panel also. Just take a 1/4-inch thick sheet of something stiff, plywood or masonite.