Pneumatic cylinders for turnout control

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’ve seen a few model railroads with small pneumatic pistons controling the turnouts. I was wondering if anyone knows of a good source for the pistons and the valves to control them. From what I’ve heard pneumatic is very inexpensive compared to the other methods of throwing turnouts. This is my first model layout. I’m planning it right now and plan to use all hand laid HO track and turnouts. Any leads on quality products or notes about your experience with pneumatic turnout controls are greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jesse

2

Jesse;

Try Delair. They may still advertise in MR, and they have a web site.

Good luck.

3

Regarding Del-Aire check this

http://www.cvmw.com/delaire/

and this

http://www.cocry.com/catalog_files/5_1_updates.pdf

4

Apparently there is an error in California & Oregon Coast Railway’s HTML coding that prevents my system, at least, from viewing their home page - keep getting a persistent ‘script error’ message. Hope someone that knows their Email address can send them a message to that effect.
Bob

5

Bob,

Probably your browser, dump all the cache and cookies and try again.

I’ve just tried with IE, Net and Opera; not a problem with any of them.

6

I USED THE DEL-AIRE SYSTEM OF VALVES AND SWITCH MOTORS. I HAVE TWENTY GARGRAVES SWITCHES ON MY “O” SCALE LAYOUT. AIR IS SUPPLIED BY A 10 GAL AUTOMOTIVE TANK THAT HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO FEED INTO A FILTER AND REGULATOR… THEY OPERATE AT 35-40 PSI. AIR IS FEED TO THE MOTORS BY WAY OF IV TUBING. CROSSOVERS CAN BE CONTROLLED BY USING “T” FITTINGS. THE FURTHER FROM THE AIR SUPPLY YOU ARE THE SLOWER THE RESPONSE TIME FOR THE TURNOUTS TO THROW. THIS SYSTEM HAS PROVEN VERY RELIABLE. SOME TIME AND CARE IS NECCESSARY WHEN INSTALLING, BUT IT IS TIME WELL SPENT. DIFFERENT AIR MOTORS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE DIFFERENT SCALES. I SUPPOSE THEY VARY THE SPRING STRENGTH IN THE PISTON. I PURCHASED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AT A GREENBERG SHOW FOR $300, THIS INCLUDED 20 MOTORS, LINKAGE, AIR SWITCHES, 300’ IV TUBING, FITTINGS,AND HARDWARE. TANK, FILTER,REGULATOR FOR ANOTHER $100. IF YOU NEED FURTHER HELP, E-MAIL ME AT EMDSD40@COMCAST.NET. GOOD LUCK, IT WORKED VERY WELL FOR ME

7

Based on the previous poster’s costs, it is within a few cents of being the same prices as Tortise or SwitchMaster (see RIX site).

Standard Hobby Supply has Tortise C12-8-6012 Pkg. of 12 (Retail Price: $189.95) $152.99.

All-Electronics has SPDT (one per) for less than $0.50 each:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=700400&item=RS-125&type=store

A suitable wall mount transformer for $3.00ea (need two for easiest circuit) which is sufficient to power over 100 Tortise: http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=790&item=ACTX-163&type=store

And suitable bridge rectifier (need 2 for bi-polar supply) 2 for $1.00:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=110&item=FWB-46&type=store

Optional capacitors (330microfarad, 50V) for $0.30 each:
http://www.allelectronics.com/matrix/Radial_Electrolytic_Cap.html

and a great box to put the rectifiers (and optional caps) in for $1.75:
http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=145&item=TB-1&type=store

Series current limiting resistor for each machine; $0.05 or less each:
http://www.allelectronics.com/matrix/One_Half_W_Resistors.html

Then all you need is wire, two conductors from each transformer to the box (18 guage is fine), 3 conductors to your switch panel, and then two conductors from the panel to each machine; OR 1 common from the box to every machine, and two conductors to the panel, and 1 wire from the panel to each machine. Lets say $1.00 per machine.

Okay, to do 24 machines, what is it?
$367 - includes $10 shipping for SHS and $6 from All Electroncis.

8

Other alternatives could be to use Lego Technic pneumatics parts - I think the cylinders and piping are available as spares.

9

I agree with nfmisso’s response above. Pneumatic would seem to be more trouble than its worth when the tortoise and similar switch machines are SO reliable and easy to install.

10

Thank you all for your responses. At a show today in West Sprigfield Mass. I met the owner of Del-Aire. Thier website is going through a major reconstruction and is located at www.delaire.biz The e-mail is delaire@rcn.com . As for the slump they had a few months ago they experienced some financial problems but are back on thier feet now.

Thanks,
Jesse