On most of my layout I’ve used Caboose #202s throws for Atlas #4 and #6 switches and wye’s. Because of very tight spacing, I’ve got a few places where it would be better to have a throw that operates with a side-to-side horizontal motion like the Atlas electric switches. Does anyone (Caboose?) make such a hand operated throw. I’d like to avoid the Atlas large switch machines, even the manually operated ones.
why not try the “over center” hairpin spring techinique and install dummy switch stands?
grizlump
That may be the perfect solution! Unfortuniately, I have no idea what that is. Can you point me to instructions for constructing and installing them?
Mike
well, mike, i can’t show you any pictures right now but there have been a couple of references to them in Model Railroader magazine. maybe andy sperandeo can enlighten you better if he sees this. they are simple to make and install. i made mine out of paper clips. they have about a 60 degree bend in them and one end is bent down to go into a hole in the throwbar and the other end goes into a hole drilled down through the roadbed. they put just enough tension on the throwbar to make it snap and hold to one side or the other. you throw the switch by flicking the points with your finger. they take about 3 minutes to make and install and cost about 2 cents each.
can anybody help this guy with a photo or two?
grizlump
Mike
Here is a link for a ground throw and it shows the over center spring. It works even if you do not have a ground throw. All you need is a bell crank off the throw bar.
http://www.railwayeng.com/handstnd.htm
Pete
You could also do what the prototype does, and extend the throw bar under the adjacent track. I have several places where the tracks are close together, I ran some brass wire through styrene tube under the yard ladder and mounted all the ground throws for the inside turnouts, along the ladder.
Nick
hey mike, the setup pete showed you is pretty nice but much more complex than the one i was talking about. since i have a difficult time posting photos on this site, why don’t you send me a pm with your email address and i will try to get a couple of pictures off to you.
grizlump
Here is a page on one way to do a ground throw.