My up coming layout is going to be an N scale 36 x 80" HCD pushed into the corner of the room preventing access to two sides unless I pull it it out. I want to add some switch machines to the hidden staging on the back side. I have figured out how to wire the turnouts to the control panel to indicate which direction the points are aligned. I do however have a few questions.
Should I, or is it feasible to mount some switch machines to the underside of the door? Or would drilling through compromise the structural integrity of the door?
If it is not feasible to mount the switch machines underneath, are the Atlas remote control switch machines compatible with Peco turnouts? Thanks.
If you are in hidden staging where looks don’t matter, I’d use Atlas turnouts and switch machines, simple, least cost. Peco does make switch machines, but I think they would require a hole in the door, not a big problem. If you do want to mount an under the table machine another alternative would be to glue on a piece of plywood to strengthen the attachment area.
Since you have Peco turnouts why not consider Peco switch motors.
I’v used the Pecos turnouts and switch motors exclusively on my layout along with Atlas code 100 flex track.
Pictured is the turnout with the switch machine and auxilliary switch connected also. The hole needs to be about an inch deep if you use the auxilliary switch. I solder spade connectors at the work bench and attach them to terminal strips. I do no soldering under the layout…
To me it’s hard to beat the combination of a turnout and a switch motor that was designed for each other
Peco offers a surface mount machine that would require no drilling, other than to pass the wires below decks. They’re a little bulky, but you can scratch build a switch tower or a tool shed or something to cover them up, or even bury them in some scenery, provided you allow enough space for the thing to work, and perhaps a lift out to gain access for servicing…
I don’t know why I didn’t consider using Peco switch machines. I was on the Walthers website looking for switch machines, and they only showed Atlas. Sometimes I forget that just because Walthers site doesn’t show it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I should have gone an looked a Peco’s site. I just ran a new search for switch machine omitting N scale as one of the search criteria, and found them. Three in the morning is the end of my work day so occasionally I’m not clear headed. [:D] Thanks for the help guys.
When using the Walthers web site, you need to recall that two of the search criteria are “all categories” and “all scales”. If you search for “switch machine” under N scale, you are going to come up empty handed since switch machines apply to more than just N scale. You need to search under “all scales”.
