Hi everyone: I am planning to install operating switch stands, esp. in my yard (low mount). Anyone have tips, preferences(brand), etc.? Any help would be appreciated, photos?. Thanks in advance.
DJ,
I would look at Caboose Industries ‘sprung’ ground throws - they are easy to install, and operation is ‘rock solid’. They have several versions available:
Jim
I have a few of those, they work well.
NJ International look great. All brass construction and diferent styles for every line.
www.njinternational.com/hoswitch.htm
Pete
I use the Caboose Industries ground throws. They’re easy to install, operate well, and stand up to lots of use. They are manually operated, and so are not “to scale”. I believe that both the Details West and NJ International versions operate (move), but require a switch machine to actually throw the points.
Wayne
Hi Wolfgang: Thanks for your prompt reply. That is exactly what I was looking for. They look great. I especially like your “how to” on your site. Thank you very much for the info.
Thank you, DJ.
I have had some response from people. So I developed this site and each time it became better.
Yes, with Caboose Hobbies or (I believe) Rix, you throw the turnout. But you have to reach into the layout. That has sometimes problems. So I prefer actuation from the fascia. Manually operated turnouts are manually operated. [:)]
Wolfgang
Sorry to drag this back up, but due to another conversation similar to this one (which I cannot find, as usual), I installed a caboose N scale manual throw on my HO layout.
With some slight modifications (shaving off pins, and drilling a new hole), it works perfectly with my peco insulfrog turnout. I’ll try to document the next ones I put in.
Cheers.
So are my fingers, which operate them!
I have a bunch of these. Even the N scale versions are grossly oversize in HO and it seems like my op session crews manage to tear the handle off of one of them each session or two. I’m in the process of replacing 'em with some handbuilt switch controllers.
A number of years ago I tried scratch building from brass and piano wire some ‘scale’ switch stands. They looked halfway ok (albeit being oversize) but it was a quite a project to build them and once installed they proved unreliable as the main solder joint in them was prone to failure.
Worst of all, they main feature of them - twisting the target to operate the turnout - prooved to be a problem. When a train was parked on the track in front then for the track behind that train it was impossible to either find the switchstand to throw a switch or tell which way the switch (behind the train) was thrown. It was possible to deal with this by leaning over the tracks to see behind the train (it’s handy being a giant). But that would have become impossible once the second deck went on overhead (also not an option for close to eye level benchwork).
So now I’m building my own panel mounted controls. They’re cheap (I can build one for about $1.10 in parts), robust enough so a knuckle dragging brakie won’t tear it apart, and panel mounted so it’s possible to tell which way a turnout is thrown by looking at the panel knob.
FWIW
Charlie Comstock
Take a look at http://www.railwayeng.com/handstnd.htm. I have not tried them personally (yet). Railway Engineering’s other products are quite good. Usual disclaimers apply; I am not financially tie to Railway Engineering in any way.
just a thought
Fred W
The railway engineering handstands are where I got the idea for my twist-the-target switch stands. Mine are (were) a bit different. Here’s a web page about mine.
Cheers,
Charlie Comstock
I’m guessing that a suitable bell crank on the bottom of the rotating part of the switchstand would allow it to sit atop both headblock ties, just like the prototype.
Wayne
Pete,
I’ve selected the NJ International switch stands, but I’m having trouble figuring out how to mount them. Can you provide some photos?
I’m using S scale branch line stands for my On30 RR.
Thanks,
Steve Austin
Ach, Du Lieber, Wolfie, you have it all down!!!
Jimmy
Das ist Gut!!!
One thing you need to keep in mind is “who is going to be operating the layout.” I was going to go with some nice Caboose Industries tall switch stands, then got to thinking about where they would be and who’s fat fingers would be operating them, and sleeves catching on them.
Since I was going to have regular operating sessions (and now am) with a crew of guests, I decided to stay with the Caboose Industries HO ground throws so I wouldn’t have to keep replacing and repairing them.