ground throws

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi all
If I am using tortoise switch machines. Can I also use caboose ground throws?
This is in H.O.

Thanks Gene

2

I don’t know how you could do this directly, since you’d be moving the turnout against the switch machine. I’d be inclined to put a dummy groud throw next to the switch and use a local toggle switch on the fascia to control the Tortoise locally (see “One turnout, two controls” in the July 2002 Model Railroader).

You could also use a ground throw to move a toggle or microswitch under the benchwork to control the Tortoise, instead of connecting the throw directly to the turnout. That’d be easy enough to do, and kind of neat.

3

Caboose Industries has a ground throw that incorporates a slide switch. The slide switch is intended to control frog polarity.

You could wire the slide switch to control the switch motor.

I hope this is helpful

4

Another possibility is to use the Tortise to animate a prototyipically scale ground throw (as opposed to those HUGE lumps of plastic by Caboose) at the same time it throws the turnout(s).

5

nfmisso

Thats what I had in mind.
Any ideas on how I can do this?

Gene

6

Hi Gene;

First you have to choose the style you want to use: the kind that are just a lever like the Caboose, or the one with the rotating indicator as well.

I beleive that the there are some manufactured, check Walthers.

Next, a simple mechanical linkage to throw them. One way for the Caboose style, extend the lever a bit past the pivot, and attach a wire under the pivot that loops under the layout, and is moved back and forth by the machine. This should be a very thin wire, and is a tension (pull) only, so it rigidity is not important (it is hard to push a string) The indicator can be driven by a simple rack and pinion attached to the same place as the wire. For the wire, something like 30 guage stranded, with no insulation.

7

Why not use switchstands with targets?