I have a meduim size layout and want t do a new control panel. No DCC for me, only switches and pushbuttons. I want to the main line with only one power pack, so for my sidings I would only need a STSP switch, right? a simple On or OFF. … Now for the turnouts they tell me I need ‘two’ momentary sitches or pushbuttons, one to make train stay on the main track, another to go to to the side… now there has to be a better way.
I have only been into trains for a little more than a year so I am learning as I go.
I believe that you don’t have Atlas turnouts as they come with a neat little switch specially designed for this purpose.However I don’t know if you can get these separately.
Turnouts need only momentary application of current,about half a second is enough I’d say.Constant application of power would ruin its coil in no time.And to perform its switching duty it will need application of current on either side so you will need a switch that can do this (SPDT) BUT with an additional feature:it would spring back to center after each throw,to be sure you don’t cook your turnout.
The sidings don’t need a separate power on off switch (SPST) unless you’re planning to park engines there. Otherwise the sidings can be live electically all the time. It gets a little trickier if you are planning a reversing loop or a Y, then you need a reversing switch (DPDT). If you are using power routing turnouts that lead to double ended sidings you could have problems also. You might want to consult one of the books on wiring for model railroads.
Enjoy
Paul
Thanks for your comments. I did not explain myself well. All I have is Atlas components (turnout and switches) .But my control pannel looks like a long line of switches and half of the time not even I know which one is where.
I want to make a control pannel with a track plan schematic and would like to know what can I use to power the old Atlas turnout and remote switch.
Thanks
The Atlas turnout “motors” are twin coil that use a momentary contact switch, as noted above. The electrical components come with the turnout motors, whether you buy them with the actual turnout, or separately. If you only have some parts, I believe the electrical switch is available separately as well.
If you are only using one power pack, I assume that you only have one loco active at a time. This is what I am doing with my layout - I have sidings that I can turn off once I have parked an engine there. That way, I can park the switcher in the engine house when the frieght comes through… All you need is an on/off - Atlas also makes those if you want everything to match.
Most of my electrical components come from the local train shop’s used bin - at about 1/4 the cost of new.
Andrew
rbrthall - If you post your question separately with a header like “Flexible wire -what to use?” you might get more information. I would suggest a fine gauge stranded wire - not solid - would be the most flexible, but I am in HO, and non-DCC…
You can replace the Atlas momentary contacts with pushbuttons from Radio Shcak. last time I bought them they were about 6 for $1.00. If you draw a shematic line diagram of your railroad on a control panel you can drill a hole in each side of the leg of a turnout and insert one of these pushbuttons. Then what you need to do is connect one side of each button to the + side of you accesory voltage input (one long wire can go to all of them) and the - to the center connection on the switch motors. The connection from the other side of the pushbutton goes to either end of the switch motor so it is only made when you press the button just like the Atlas after you slide it to the end you want. There also used to be a capacitance discharge device (and you can make one easily from articles over the years) that will really fire those points when you pu***he button. The buttons I use all have a red cap but you could easily repaint the top if you desired.
Question…
Would a capacitor discharge system be able to be used in conjunction with a DPDT switch so one side can throw the switch machine and the other pole controls track power? You’d have turnout position indication and block control all in one little switch.
Probably not because it is an either/or situation. My fear would be forgetting to return the switch to the center or power side and frying the switch machine. They are also starting to get up there in price and would be more expensive than pushbuttons.