I’m in the early stages of planning a shelf layout around two walls a of a garage. I came across a reference to John Allen developing a vertical switch described by Ian Rice as a see -saw between two levels. I haven’t been able to locate any information on this device. As I am considering a multideck shelf arrangement this could help me out. Does anyone know where to get more info, a drawing etc. Thanks Nick
Note title correction.
A description of the vertical switch can be found in John Armstrong’s work (which specific book eludes me.) He used one on his own layout to facilitate a loads-out, empties in arrangement at a virtual iron mine.
Basically, it’s a board with a track on it, hinged at one end, that can be aligned with tracks approaching from below or above at the moving end. From an operational point of view, the effect is that of a switchback, but without the length of turnout and tail track to contend with. The original was 16 feet long, designed to lift (or lower) an O scale coal drag. The one he actually built was shorter, but still long enough to handle several loaded and empty ore cars
If I were to build one, I’d start with the dimension between railheads at the two free ends,' then calculate the length required to connect them with a 2% grade. 1/2 that length wold be the required length of the vertical switch, assuming that you are going by the minimum length required and are willing to accept a 2% grade. Or you can plan for the vertical switch length to be that of your longest train (plus a safety margin.) Then the vertical distance between the free ends` becomes the height a track the length of the switch could achieve on a 4% grade - while the actual grade would be 2%.
John Armstrong’s original drawing included gates attached to the moving end of the switch that would block the free end tracks when the switch was not aligned with that particular end.
If a vertical switch doesn’t gain sufficient height, or if you’d prefer to keep the moving rails horizontal, you might consider an elevator. John Armstrong’s, `Dehydrated canal lock,’ is in the same article as his vertical switch. That’s the route I’m following.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with train elevators)
Thank you , for the very quick response. No wonder I couldn’t find anything on the internet. I was looking for the wrong man’s design. I will look at the elevator too. Thank you for the information. Nick
Chuck Thank you once again. The John Armstrong book Creative Layout Design publication 1978 has the info I was I wanted. Once you set me on the right track it was a simple matter to find it.
Nick
Two methods are discussed there, the vertical turnout and also the dehydrated canal lock. There are commercial products which essentially duplicate the dehydrated canal lock concept, such as the Ro-Ro shelves. And mechanized up/down lifts have been covered in a couple of layout articles over the past few years.
–Randy
The July 1996 Model Railroader describes the Vertical Turnout that John Armstrong built for his layout the Canandaigua Southern.
Enjoy
Paul
Note that at some point Kalmbach changed the title of the Armstrong book from Creative Layout Design to Creative Model Railroad Design. The contents (and cover art) are the same.
Martin
Sadly out of print under any title.
Paul
I just checked ebay and it is for sale, 15.00 USD under the creative model railroad layout title, good luck.
One of the implementation issues with the vertical switch is the grade transitions. While going from level to 2% in O scale may be achieveable at slow speeds and care, the abrupt change is more problemmatic in HO or N. And the transitions have to be a part of the layout, not the switch, to avoid mismatches in the opposite position.
After studying the issue for HO/HOn3, I came to the conclusion that the simplest and most effective method to connect 2 levels would be train cassettes that could be easily attached and supported at either level. Attach the cassette at the upper level, drive the train on. Reverse, then manually set and attach the cassette at the lower level, and drive the train off - which is now facing the opposite direction. For my short trains, the cassette spans the place would be where the door would be when it is open - about 32" or so. In operation, the door is closed, and the far end of the cassette is supported at the correct height by a slot in a block attached to the door. FWIW, manipulating and handling - and especially reversing - a cassette much longer than 36" becomes an invitation to turn prize trains into ground-seeking, gravity-powered missles. Don’t ask me how I know this.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
Pardon me? The 2% grades need to have appropriate vertical easements - but that has nothing to do with the design or operation of a vertical switch. The train to be switched stops on a sustained 2% grade, the switch is thrown and the train starts on a sustained 2% grade sloping in the opposite direction. If the same thing were to be built as a switchback, then there would be an issue with vertical transitions. As long as the vertical switch moves as a unit, this is a non-issue unless the train is unable to start itself on a 2% upgrade.
Thanks for your thoughts Fred. My calculations are indicating it will be a real challenge in HO. The cassette “elevator” seems a much more straight forward option and simpler to construct for reliable operation. Thank you for your thoughts. Nick
I found it at my local used book store- $2.00. What could be better. Thanks! Nick