I have Caboose Industries ground throws on all but one of my switches and just finished modifying them to make them less oversized in appearance. I replaced the handles with .025 piano wire, shortened a good bit, and replace the end with a styrene square much smaller than the one on the stock handle. After removing the lever, I drilled a hole for the wire on the switch body and on the styrene tip. I painted them black and the body of the unit grimy black and they look much better now and still work flawlessly.
Hey that sounds interesting. Can you post a picture?
Simon
I agree with Simon! They could really use some cosmetic improvements.
I improved the looks of all mine by replacing the ugly things with Tortoise switch machines. Much nicer! I got a good deal on 2 12 pack boxes. I also hated folks reaching into the layout to throw them snagging buildings and details.
oldline1
I found for HO scale Peco code 83 Electrofrog switches N scale Caboose Industries switch machines look rather good and have plenty of throw. Not certain how they would work with Atlas code 100 (representing heavy mainline track) - may go with switch machines for that, but for sidings near the edge of a module the N scale works fine. I am kicking around the idea of getting some thin bar stock and replacing the straight plastic switch handle with what NJ Interational calls ‘Phol Low’ handles, but what in the real world are just called Safety or Easy Throw switch handles - not sure how well they would hold up over the years…
I never have posted a pic. I may try to. Since my layout is point to point switching layout, I like the manual throws rather than switch machines. I use Frog Juicers so power to the frogs is not an issue.
Some of my switches are very close to the fascia. So I opted for the manual throws for these.
Simon
I have lots of those Caboose Industries manual throws and they are big and ugly.
That is one reason why I switched to Peco turnouts with the spring loaded points that can be thrown by the flick of a finger.
When I was building my new layout, I used Atlas Custom Line turnouts in my engine servicing facility. Before I installed the Caboose Industries manual throws, I temporarily used a track nail through the throwbar to hold the point rail against the stock rail. I used a pin vise to drill two holes, one for each point rail position. That worked so well that I was tempted to keep it on the final layout. But I didn’t in the final analysis.
Rich
Atlas used to sell a package of nail holes for this purpose They included a little template that allowed you to position the holes easily. Came in very handy if you couldn’t find your pin vise.
I like to use the O scale Caboose Industries ground throws. The larger size is easier to operate. Using them to throw a switch is more like the prototype than pushing a button.
I mount them in a box set into the fascia below the edge of the layout with an underground linkage to the switch. This keeps them out of the scene and eliminates reaching into the layout. The linkage can be as long as necessary.
Mark Vinski
I have used the Caboose Industries S202 sprung ground throws on my N scale layout and have found them very easy to install and very reliable. I paint the the top of the throw arm green to indicate that the switch is set for the straight track and when the switch is thrown the top fo the throw arm is painted red. That way you can tell which way the switch is set for by just looking at the switch arm color.
I sure would love to see what a package of nail holes looks like. Are they expensive?
I have been told that Caboose N scale ground shows can be used with HO turnout. Any truth to this rumor?
I have repeatedly read where someone uses an N scale ground throw on an HO scale turnout. I tried it once but I was disappointed. It was unrealiable and difficult to throw because of its small size.
Rich
Depends on the amount of travel your chosen turnouts require.
Sheldon
Well, I can’t answer that question specificly because I don’t have an N scale Caboose ground throw or an Atlas code 100 turnout to measure/test.
No offense to the OP or anyone, but Caboose ground throws have never been something I would consider using.
Sheldon
No
No, they were not expensive at all. However, Atlas discontinued them because there were too many consumer complaints about quantity discrepancies, mainly shortages.
Buying the holes is the cheap part. Buying the “special air” to put in the hole is the expensive part.
Yes, see my post above (4th post in this thread). They work fine for HO Peco Eletrofrogs (#5 & #6). I don’t have an Atlas code 100 to test, so they may or may not work on those without adapting them. I think the N scale Caboose throws look decent enough in HO, brings to mind an article in a c1977 MR article regarding hiding ground throws, and comparing an average Atlas switch machine to an abandonded pieced of miltary equipment alongside the switch.
Met the owner, he was not interested in changing his product to more scale even though he could and no one has chalenged him with new product.