I’m at the point with my latest N scale layout where I’m trying to decide on controlling the crossover’s turnouts. I would like to get a general consensus on whether it’s better to control the turnouts separately or jointly. I have not installed any switch machines yet so I can go either way. What seems to be the major pros and cons to either option?
Thanks for your opinions.
Dale
Dale,
Installing a single machine per turnout, or a single machine controlling both turnouts via a linkage will both work. Either way, a single panel button makes controlling the crossover simple and prevents mistakes like not throwing one of them!
Even if they have separate switch machines, you can throw two turnouts with a single switch, button, or DCC switch controller.
Dale, you definitely want to control both turnouts together, not separately. First of all, there is no reason not to since no other loco can pass the crossover if the tracks are set to divergent. Second of all, it is simply more efficient to operate both turnouts simultaneously.
I use Tortoises to control my turnouts, and I use two Tortoises to control a crossover. I wire the two Tortoises together and control both with a single DPDT toggle switch.
Rich
On the prototype, in CTC, the dispatcher controls them together as one device.
Regardless of how the hardware is installed, one button, or one set of butons. Only 2 settings are valid - both tracks straight through, or both tracks set to cross over. Any other arrangement will result in a crash or derailment, so there is no need to independently throw each set of points.
–Randy
I will disagree slightly:
For a “mainline” crossover, where it is very clear what it is and what it is used for, I do agree.
But, in a yard, I might use a pushbutton, or whatever, for each switch just to have a standardized layout for the controls of the whole yard. In a real yard (as opposed to a mainline), “all” switches are handthrown. And you CAN have a “crossover” misaligned.
Ed
If you’re using twin-coil machines, this is another place where a capacitive discharge (CD) circuit is a very good idea. Throwing two machines simultaneously needs the extra power.
I have a mainline double crossover with all points controlled by one Tortoise, one switch controls all four turnouts.
I tried many types of linkage and the one above worked the best keeping all point rails firmly against the rails. The linkage rods are .04" music wire. I also increased the Tortoise throw rod to .04".
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Sure, you CAN have the crossover misaligned, but why would you want to? Yard or mainline, it’s still an invalid route and something’s going to go on the ground or run into the side of another train passing straight through. You can get away with it because usually you wouldn’t have 2 opposing movements in teh yard, but that still doesn’t make it right.
If you use a route based system so you can select a track rather than individual line each turnout - it’s no big deal to include two switch motors on the crossover as part of the routes. If either is set to cross, there’s no point whatsoever in having the otehr set to straight.
–Randy
In a yard you have twice as long a shove to get a car in the clear if both turnouts are controlled by one toggle because you have to clear the points of the other turnout. I had not thought of this when I designed my yard (one of those things you discover when operating).
Grinnell
I’m not saying I WANT to have a misaligned crossover. I’m saying there are circumstances where it might follow from certain design choices.
As I said, one reason is to have a clear standardized layout for your control panel.
Another is that the real ones in a yard are not linked. As opposed to a CTC crossover. And a guy is not going to throw the “other” switch if he only needs one thrown to do his job. If you are trying to operate a yard prototypically, this concept might have some appeal. Or not. We all have choices. It ain’t compulsory in model railroading.
Ed
On the practical side of where to put the buttons (or, in my case, contact studs.)
My control panels have schematic track diagrams on their faces. A standard crossover has a button (contact stud) in the crossover line and in each of the straight route lines. The two straight route contacts are wired together - hit one and both machines move.
I agree with Randy. The crossover must be either both switches straight or both set for the crossover. Any other configuration is an engraved invitation to Murphy to come out and play.
I do have one exception, but the crossover in that case is a train length long and fitted with auto-stop sections.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Now I’m surious as to what the rulebook says. I need to dig out the one I have and see if this is mentioned. But if one switch is lined for the crossover, the other MUST be lined or you’re asking for a problem. Even if that means a man on the ground using hand throws is making two operations. Setting one to straight to allow a train to pass would be momentarily OK, but if the other is forgotten and left in the crossover position, you better hope the engineer spots the misalignment and is able to stop fast enough. Since rulebooks generally specify that switches need to be lined and locked before movement (yards may be an exception) I would suspect this means BOTH turnouts of a crossover.
For remote control, at least CTC, it is one control lever for both turnouts of a crossover. This is illustrated in both the model and prototype sections of Mike Burgett’s CTC Parts web site.
–Randy
Randy,
In a yard, an engineer must never go faster than that speed that allows him to stop for obstructions. And that would be a switch set against him. It is also his business to see if every switch he approaches is set properly.
Here’s an example of what I was talking about:
Let’s suppose there’s a road engine on the lower left track waiting for the yard crew to finish building the train. The switch immediately in front of him might well be set to crossover because that is his next move. However, the yard engine is still building his train and needs HIS switch to be set straight so he can use the lead. Thus the two switches don’t match in this case at this time. Of course, they CAN. But they can also be the way I describe.
Ed
I’m relatively new to N scale and chose EZ Track to get my feet wet. I bought a couple of EZ Track turnouts and for the life of me I can’t understand why each turnout has a controller. Thank goodness for the posting saying they can be controlled with a single switch. Can somebody explain why Bachmann chose to have two switches for this turnout?
But he can’t move anyway since the yard engine is still using the lead. So there’s only a miniscule time advantage. In real life nobody is in that kind of rush (nor should they be on the model).
Having both sets of switchpoints move at the same time is no liability and vastly decreases the likelihood of derailments in the model, in my experience.
Because they are easier to make this way? A crossover is just two ordinary turnouts, so it’s probably easier for them to manufactuer them all identically.
–Randy
Snuck in while I was replying to the other one. ALso, if I were using a realtively expensive switch motor like a Tortoise I’d probably just use one plus linkage and operate both sets of points from one motor. I use servos these days and when they are $2 each even from Amazon with Prime shipping (no waiting weeks for an order from China) I’d just install two of them, but wire them together and use one controller (which is the expensive part of using servos, unless you DIY).
And I still say - WOULD the guy on the ground open the main switch while the other side was still lined for the yard engine to finish working? If it’s a switch off the main it almost certainly would have a lock unlike the rest of the yard switches. Also a good example of the benefits of having at least one A-D track - the road engine could pull in and drop its train and head off for servicing without interfering with the yard engine.
–Randy
Porbably not.