I plan on employing Caboose Industries ground throws for my HOn3 layout. I will be using Shinohara turnouts, but I am not sure which to select - HO scale or N scale, rigid or sprung?
Ulrich,
When I asked this question in relation to N scale ground throws for Peco turnouts, I was told I should use rigid throws for sprung turnouts, and vice-versa. Given that the Shinoharas aren’t sprung, you’ll probably want the sprung ground throws.
The N scale ones may be closer to scale size, and would have the right throw distance.
Hope this helps,
tbdanny
Thanks - that helps! I thought I´d go for the N scale, sprung type, but was not sure yet.
To select the proper ground throw, you first need to know how far a throw or movement is required of the turnout throwbar. So you need to take a measurement. The distance to be measured will be from the point rail in the open position to the stock rail it closes to. This is the amount of travel the points must make from one position to the other.
The measurement can be taken with a 10th scale, micrometer, or by using dimentional styrene strips inserted in the opening.
Then you can pick the closest ground throw that moves the same distance, plus a little bit. You do not want to use one with a shorter throw distance. I always use a sprung ground throw. if you use a rigid one you risk moving the whole turnout.
Do you really NEED to take this measurement? No. You can guess and get it wrong more times than you get it right because of the number of ground throws offered. If you do get it wrong, you will always have trouble.
N scale sprung ground throws should work fine with HOn3. they certainly work for my HO turnouts. The smaller N scale ones look better than the HO ground throws. - Nevin
Caboose Industries does not have N scale sprung ground throws - I just found out.
Seems as if I have to go with the HO scale version. Slide bar travel is 0.120", so I need to have the sprung version to compensate for the overtravel.
Ah, but they do-check their web site. In fact I am testing one with my HO C83 W/S turnouts. [:D]
Dante
Dante - you are right. I just checked their homepage and fount sprung n scale ground throws for Atlas Code 55 track - can they be linked to Shinohara turnouts?
Ulrich,
A short and sweet answer: Yes! You trim off the raised “nub” on the throw bar (exposing a hole for a pin) and drill an additional hole for the 2nd pin on the ground throw. I suppose you could cut one of the pins off the ground throw and skip drilling the 2nd hole-I haven’t tried that yet.
Cheers, indeed!
Dante
Ulrich,
A quick postscript and qualification: my experience is with Walthers/Shinohara C83 HO turnouts. I don’t know if yours are the same.
Dante
Sorry! I couldn’t resist the temptation. “I always preferred to throw the switch points instead of the ground beneath them.”