The new SIW is laid. However I would like to install Caboose Industry’s ground throws in a tight crossover with Atlas Code 100 #6 turnouts. Not sure how close I can cut the throwbars to fit. Has anyone done this?
Not sure if I totally understand your question, but I’ve had to install Caboose ground throws in some tight areas. I worked the throw bar on the switch just to see how much I could remove, and then cut it off, and drilled a new hole to accept one of the many connection choices you get with a Caboose ground throw.
In a few places, I had to install the ground throw on the oposite side of the turnout from the way the throw bar is positioned, as it comes out of the package.
I never tried to alter the Caboose ground throw parts, because of the type of plastic they are made of.
Hope this helps,
Mike
Joe323,
Sometimes You have to do some re-engineering, but You can put a ground throw anywhere You want, as long as You keep the throw in plane.
I needed to put a ground throw in a street. Couldn’t use a undertable due to braces…could not put it on top…so I dug a trench, put in a brass rod in a brass tube, rod was inserted in center of throwbar and ground throw was mounted next to other switch. The first groundthrow controls switch at points…the second groundthrow controls switch in the street…works like a charm. I use N-scale 206s ground throws on all My HO-scale turnouts…I like the smaller size. I use a wood skewer to switch with, also same one for uncoupling, when need be…
Experiment…
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
Frank how did you attach the ground throw to the rod?
How do you reverse the throwbar?
Henry,
On the grounthrow bar…I cut the pin off, filed it flush and drilled a hole in it, to accept a 3/64’’ Brass rod with a 90 degree bend in it. Put it in a Brass 3/32’’ tube and run it to the turnout, also a 90 degree bend at the end to go in the center of the throwbar and put a little CA in it to hold it’s position. The ground throws, are all screwed on with #0 3/8’’ Black round head wood screws…My roadbed is all 1/2 Homasote…so it makes fastening anything down in a snap. I put a little LaBelle # 106 Grease in the tube…just in case of wandering ballast glue in the trench.
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
At my club there were a couple of switches getting caboose throws that couldn’t be reached from the aisle. I mounted the throw near the edge of the layout (three feet from the switch), drilled a hole through the plywood at the throw and another at the throw bar. I mounted a steel wire in a plastic tube under the plywood with the ends bent up and inserted in the throw and throw bar. 12 years and still working.
As a follow up I discovered that you can quite easily reverse the Atlas throwbar by prying the plastic tabs that hold the frog rails in place pulling out the throw bar and pushing it back in the other direction. Once that was done I cut the bar down to size drilled a small hole with a pin vise and installed the throw in the usual fashion. They work great.