Out of curiosity, I’ve looked at a few of the “slow switch” machines you can buy for model railroad switches, which use one means or another to achieve a more prototypical slow, smooth motion when changing a switch’s direction, rather than the typical model railroad “snap”.
All of the mechanisms I’ve seen in the smaller scales rely on some sort of good-sized lever arrangement mounted under the benchwork, so they wouldn’t be practical for outdoor operation. Does anyone make a slow switch mechansism for garden use? Or has anyone tried to roll their own?
My preference is for manual control on the switches. You can never count on the points being clear of debris, even if you’re religious about keeping them clean. I find it advantageous to be standing at the switch throwing it, that way I know it’s closed properly and not going to derail the train.
My method of points control is becomming popular in the UK because it is SO simple!!! It uses Memory Wire. When heated it contracts and pulls the points lever, when it cools a return spring streches the wire and resets the points. The same system pulls the signals. The power supply is 2 NimH AA batteries…
I forgot the name of the company that used to make air switches, oh wait, Del-Aire. I believe they were bought out by EZ Air. Del-Aire had a switch that was thrown by a valve which replicated slow motion prototypical operation. I actually watched a demonstration at a GATS show several years back. It was very impressive.
Jim Rich developed the EZAire line as a MUCH improved replacement when Del-Aire didn’t seem able to answer a phone call or letter for what, 2 years?For REMOTE operation, I use 2 of the EZAir systems, on 2 switches, the reat are all manual.
This sounds like a bimetal strip similar th what is used in fluoro starters. It does sound simple and technically worthwhile to me. However i am against using batteries unless you absolutley have too. It may be pretty slow though i don’t know starters work pretty quick.
It has everything you need to make a memory wire set of points actuator. The length I use is 10cm with aeroplane cranks. For external use they recommend that you put the memory wire inside a length of catheter -it stops it cooling too fast. The single picture below should give you all the information you need!!!
HO semaphores were actuated by the stretching of a hot wire many, many years ago. The Model Railroader had an article but can’t remember neither author nor date. Some interlockers where I worked, the semaphores were controlled by motors and did move slowly; switches never moved quite that slowly, though.
At armstrong towers, the levers had to be jerked hard and quickly to position the points properly, otherwise the interlocking would not get accomplished thus keeping the signal lever locked and unmovable. As in golf and baseball, follow-through was quite important!
Naturally i disagree with both Kevin and Mike on this matter. I have very little trouble with debris stopping my points (switches); my biggest trouble has been a) getiing fines into the switching track when ballasting them and later on ants.
Think about this, i am 70 yerars old and my knees arent as good as they could be. I have my layout sprad over 3 courtyards not entirely visible from each other.
I have ten sets of points spread all over and i have them all remote working, some from MTS and some from track contacts and some from both, I have even developed a device to automate them, to an entire extent.
So i would suggest that there are horses for courses
Cabbage That’s an interesting set up…I never would have thought of that for switching. I’ve seen memory wire used in small robots for certain actuations.
I stand corrected on the Del-Aire issue, thanks TOC.
So now the question. What improvement was made? I was quite impressed with the overall operation of the Del-Aire system as it was demonstrated to me. At the time, I wasn’t in the market for an automated switch system but this method has always been in the back of my mind. However, I’m always up for a “new and improved” version.
