Turn control

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I am building a new control panel and want to simplify it’s design.

Currently, my old Rapido turnouts are activated with DPDT toggles

that, when switched, sets an led to indicate turnout direction and

momentary buttons to fire a capacitor-discharge unit that throws

the turnouts.

I want to get rid of the momentary button and am looking for a DPDT

mini toggle that will provide both functions. ON-ON (ON)-(ON).

If nothing like that is available, what would be the simplest way to

accomplish what I want to do.

2

Ah, they used to make such switches. Leaf switches (I think NJ International made them) one set of contacts was momentary (in passing) and the other sets would hold the signals and indicators.

LION does not know if such beasts are available anymore, but perhaps one of these would do what you want.

3

Content removed due to a completely fucked up and incompetent Kalmbach customer service.

4

Oh, that brings back memories! I used to have a bunch of them back in the 1970s. Used one to make a throttle. Loved the smooth spring loaded action of throttle in one direction, brake in the other direction. Also used a bunch of them to make an audio control panel back then. Must have thrown them out over the years because I don’t have them any more.

5

Leaf switches were primarily used in telephone switchboards. I purchased several of them many, many years ago from a surplus electronics store.