About 1 year ago, I posted that i wanted to utilize a wire in tube control system for my hidden turnouts. After trying a few things, I am at my wits end!
I dont have access to a local hobby store, just basic materials that can be purchased at a hardware store, farm supply store, auto parts store, and wal-mart. I do have some tubing and cable that I have purchased previously from the hobby shop, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to attach it to the switches!
I am modeling in N scale and using PECO switches.
I really need pictures and examples of what yall have done. PICTURES PLEASE!!!
Thanks
Chuck
haven’t done any myself yet , but i hope this will help
http://www.centralhobbies.com/control_linkage/carbrod.html
in another thread someone here mentioned using bicycle brake cable , i guess you’d use something similar to the above to attach it
edit: if the above items aren’t appropriate i’m sure there are other methods shown on the same site that would work . the model airplane guys have been thinking up ways to link control motors to movable parts for years
Anyone else? I know I am not the only one contoling turnouts with rods!
Chuck
I prefer electronic gadgets myself but perhaps this will help. You didn’t mention whether or not you have a straight shot between the facia and switch. For a straight shot, Model Railroader Magazine had a short article within the last two years with pictures. Wish I could remember which issue. If your path from facia to switch isn’t straight I would suggest buying a “universal carborator choke cable” at the auto parts store you mentioned. You could go to a auto salvage yard if you get desperate enough. Pre-fifties cars and trucks used these, plus you can obtain some mounting brackets and study how “Detroit” utilized this type of cable. The visable end has a threaded shaft for mounting and a knob for push-pull control. What ever method you use, remember to provide some method of travel limitation to avoid breaking fragile switch mechanisms. A pivoting turnout linkage with mounting bracket such as those from Rix Products might make the connection easier. To make a “Z” shape at the end of the cable you’ll need two pairs of heavy duty needle nose pliers, both piano wire and shiethed cable are axtremely hard to bend but easy to kink. Kinks ruin automotive sheathed cable. If you have a Walthers catalogue, look under TRACK & ACCESSORIES. Hope I’ve helped some. Good luck with your turnouts.
Roy
Chuck,
A company called Hump Yard Purveyance sells Lever Style Mechanical Turnout Controls, which resemble the “armstrong” levers used in interlocking towers to throw prototype turnouts. They advertise in Model Railroader. Contact #: 541-957-5526 or e-mail at www.humpyard.com Sounds like it is exactly what you are looking for.
Good Luck,
Mark C.
Auto Parts store has a dash mounted CHOKE CABLE. Drill hole in Facia, Mount handle, Bend end to fit you turnout, manual control. They have roubd pulls and “T” handels. NAPA nad PEP BOYS have them. YOu sill have to find a OLD FART like me to understand what you want but they are very easy to get. Alternate source is a junk yard, heater control cabels and vent control cabels. The deal is you anchor the handle at the facia then using a clip (you get tem at NAPA you anchor the end by the switch under the table. This way ONLY the cabel moves not the housing. This is about 1950’s MRM tech tip.
Good Luck
George P.
Does anyone have pics of their hookups to switches?
Chuck
If you have a solid cable (not stranded) you can bend an appropriate shape to fit theough a hole on the throw bar of the turnout. With a stranded cable, you will have to find some way of clamping or otherwise affixing the cable to the throwbar, or an extension of the throwbar.
Andrew