Assuming that a reliable linkage system could be designed for the purpose,do you modelers believe that a Tortoise has enough stamina to power four points?I have two double crossovers (Peco N scale,C55) that I’d like to power with Tortoise’s but the cost would be prohibitive for eight motors,not considering the space needed for them also.
The other point to consider is the possible complexity of the linkages.Not knowing the first parameter (strength),I haven’t given the design much thougth yet but it might not even be worthed attempting it.Has someone ever done it?
I’m not desperate about the issue as I still have the PL-10 twincoil solution (have them on hand too) but I like the idea of slow motion operation,given it can be a “reasonable” option.Thanks.
The Tortoise might have enough torque to operate four turnouts, but getting the linkages right would be very difficult. I would use two separate Tortoise machines with two turnouts to each. Depending on where you purchase them, a Tortoise is not that expensive. The materials for a complicated linkage could wind up costing more.
For Peco one would have to remove the point springs. There are other brands of stall motors besides Tortoise. One reason tortoise is so expensive is because of the extra points and stuff included. For a double crossover only one set of signalling/frog power contacts are needed.
There is nothing really complicated about it at all. One can use piano wire through brass tubing conduits and bend the “linkage” to any shape that is needed. The “cranks” can also be made as long as needed to gain any leverage needed.
Only if one goes out and wastes money on commercial crank units. I would think one could make all the cranks and linkage needed for both sets of double crossovers for right around $3.
I have no pictures of a double crossover but here are some for a single crossover. To make it a double, basically two more cranks would have to be added to the master connecting throw bar. The connecting throw bar has to be stiff. Styrene will not work, in the photos it is a PC board. This will actually be MUCH easier in N-scale than HO just because the distances are so much shorter. Also note the stall motors that are NOT tortoise brand. People talk as if they are the only game in town.
A few years back there was an articles in Model Railroad Craftsman that dealt with using a Switchmaster motor to switch a double crossover. I looked similar to what Texas Zephyr had pictured in his post. I used the same set up for a single crossover and it wasn’t hard to do.
