I am an N scaler finally building the mini Southern railway I’ve always wanted, having a blast. I now have all modules designed, & have built 1/2 my benchwork.
My question - I am using manual ground throws mounted at layout edge, & attaching to turnouts via piano wire strung through brass tubing, a technique I saw in MRR years ago.
Is this still the best/most reliable way? Or is there a better way? Using Caboose ground throws, any better switches around?
That is a wonderful method to throw turnouts. At the club I was in before I moved, we used that method for turnouts that were a couple feet from the front of the layout. For turnouts that were closer, we used just wire and those brackets that pivot to make 90 degree turns. (I can’t think of their real name.) For turnouts more than two feet away, we used Tortoises. To throw the turnouts, we used inexpesive cam lock and key sets.
Years ago, I saw a layout in which the turnouts were operated by the use of automobile choke control cables. They worked very well though I have no idea how they were set up.
To piggyback on that, lawnmower throttle control cables (cheap this time of year) also work well. Those 90 degree pivots can be hand fasioned, or you can use some of those that are made for radio control uses. Matter of fact, you might be able to use their control rods too.
Southernman - these gizmos are very easy to make - and best of all inexpensive. Use 14/2 wire with piano wire or florists’s wire. You can make them as long as you like, and they do accept a curve. They work like a charm especially with peco switches.
Thanks SO much everyone, some great suggestions here. Gonna experiment, maybe order a humpyard to fool around with, then make my decision, thing is I already have the Caboose throws, tubing, & wire, we’ll see.
I use ordinary brass doorbolts, some 0.040 music wire, and some zero percent stretch 30 lb fishing line to make a home-made turnout throw for less than $4 each.
Follow-up question guys - if I use humpyards, I will be installing over 2.5" foam OVER baseboard, can I sturdy the turnout end of the humpyard cable with a clamp into the foam? Maybe if I glue in a slab of 1" wood, & then clamp the cable? Will it hold it?
I was always able to find some wood close enough to anchor them. For caboose turnouts I glued a piece of wood, painted to simulate a wooden platform to spike them to. I would think that would work for humpyard as well.
