I bought two Caboose Industries ground throws but when I got them home I did not like them, plastic. I run HO and have Peco turnouts. I checked out the Humpyard throws and do not care for them either. Any suggestions?
If you want actual ground throws next to the turnouts, you likely won’t be happy with any. TO be operable by 1:1 human fingers they will be too big for HO scale. If you just want manual control without using a switch motor like the Peco ones, or Tortoises, you can go with something like the Blue Point or build your own equivalent with slide switches.
–Randy
Those seem to be about the best. The plastic has not been a problem for me. I am wondering what you have in mind. We may all discover something new here.
Some folks have use the C.I. “N” scale ground throws. They probably look better but are harder to get at of course.
The plastic is almost indestructible and can be painted if you like.
What is it that you don’t like about the throws you mentioned?
Have fun,
If you have Peco turnouts, you really don’t need ground throws, just slide the track with your finger. Peco turnouts “lock” and do not slide.
Thanks for the replys.
This all started when I decided to extend the six track stub yard at the Athens station out another three feet. Tracks 1 & 2 had a crossover to allow an engine to escape after dragging a passenger train in. Both turnouts had Tortoise motors on them and were ballasted in, not wanting to dig all that up I bought two more turnouts an instaled them. Since the old turnouts were close to the control panel I cold just reach over and move them but I thought ground throws would look good. The Caboose brand looks too fragile and delicate to stand up to use.
Well, I can guarentee you that the Caboose Industries ground throws are pretty hard workers. That’s all I have on my old layout, and that’s been going fine for over 10 years now. They may look a bit fragile, but they are an acetal plastic, so are much stronger then the average styrene plastic material. Plus, because of the nature of the plastic (acetal) they are basically self-lubricating. I personally like them alot, although I understand that other’s mileage may very [:)]
Respects,
I agree, My grandkids can’t break them, and neither can I.
I made this little set up that works well with Peco switches. They can be as long or short as required and may be used in conjunction WITH ground throws or by hand. Plus they are inexpensive (spelled cheap !)
Florist wire threaded through a piece of 14/2 wire (copper wire removed).
One thing that Caboose throws are most definately NOT, is fragile or delicate. Things are rock solid.
I too like them a lot.
I agree with the masses, here. a model rail club I belonged to years ago used them on peco track and only one or two went bad. All in all they always outlasted the swiches themselves.
Snagletooth
I never had one fail and I have re-used many of them over a few layouts. I keep the spring in but on the tortoise controlled pecos I do remove it, so I was thinking of doing the same for the caboose throws.
They are very durable and the railroady look is acceptable for me.
Does the N scale version have enough travel for the switch? They look sturdy to me it just that they are a little oversized.