Good afternoon All,
I thought i would ask all the train masters on here if anybody has used or do you know if the tortis switch machines will work on a manual Kato turn out?
Thanks Craig
If you start with manually operated switch points that DON’T include a locking spring, any kind of point mover (Tortoise, twin coil, even an electrical switch at the fascia line) can be linked to the throw bar.
You may have to be creative, even inventive, but it can be done.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with points moved by cables under tension)
Thank you sir, pointing out the spring was something I was not awair of.
Thanks again,
Craig
The mechanism inside KATO manual turnouts is somewhat involved and I believe it is not a simple over-center spring as Chuck is suggesting. I’m not sure it will be worth the effort to try to operate them with a Tortoise versus simply replacing them with the KATO versions that include a switch motor.
It is probably theoretically possible to motorize KATO Unitrack turnouts with a Tortoise, but I don’t remember ever having seen it done.
If a finger can move the points, a switch machine can be rigged to whatever the finger moves. It just might require a little inventiveness.
Since I handlay all of my specialwork, this is a problem I’ll never have.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Since Kato switches - except for the points themselves, and a tiny nib that sticks up to move the turnout manually - have all their working parts enclosed inside the turnout assembly, you’d have to open up the bottom of the turnout and figure out a way to connect the machine to the throw rod mechanics inside. To operate it on the layout, you may need to create an opening with a motor tool beneath the turnout in it’s “floor” to allow the switch machine to connect with the throw rod.
Thanks everybody, i am just going to buy the Kato elec turnsouts> problem solved.
Also I would love to post some pics of my bench work and layout, but cant figer out how to do this?
BTW one nice thing about Kato turnouts is, if you set them to non-power routing (there’s a screw you move to a different position on the bottom of the turnout) you can use them as spring switches. Kinda nice where a track joins the mainline, or in a reverse loop etc.
Rhino,
To include images, diagrams etc. in a post, unless you have your own server, you will need to first post the images to a photo sharing website such as Photobucket. The “help” link in the box on the right side of forum posts that contains your forum name, profile, and so on can help you understand the process. Also very helpful is to use the “search community” box, found on the right side of the forum posts. Enter “inserting images in a post” or words to that effect, and read the explanations of how it’s done. If you are still stumped, you can call Kalmbach’s customer service line for help. It’s cumbersome at first, but is great fun once you learn the procedure.
Wilton.
Great, thanks for the help, i will set up and account of Snap fish and try that.
Craig