I’ve been looking at the Hump Yard Purveyance http://www.humpyard.com/ to throw my turnouts. They look like they are durable and easy to mount. Since they are mechanical they would not pull any current from the trains and they are slightly less expensive than Tortoise switch machines.
If you have used these or installed them can you give any tips and your opinion?
Thanks,
Bill
They look nice - but if you’re interested in something that looks like a real lever frame, Model Signal Engineering in the UK makes lever frames that require soldering and some metalworking skills. They look prototypical and the catch handles on the levers actually work - they also sell components for manual turnout and signal operation. I’m planning on building one for my layout, but still planning - so I don’t yet have personal experience, although the owner of MSE, Andrew Hartshorne, does run a great operation (I have purchased other stuff from him).
I have four and love them. I will add more as the layout grows. I also have some Caboose, which are nice in areas that are easy to reach and some Tortoise, which are nice if you want toggles on a panel, but they do not work well for me.
Humpyards install as easy as any, are adaptible and work well. My grandchildren have yet to break any( Visitors have not either).
TIP: Like any small appliance, it takes some care and forethought to install them.