I’d like to have operating switch stands on my layout but I’m having trouble finding what I want. I have looked at tons of switch stands but it isn’t obvious (at least to me) if they will do what I want.
What I want is a passive switch stand that will move with the points. The points will be operated by Tortoise machines so I don’t need the switch stand to do anything other than follow the position of the point rails.
I’m modelling the 1950s so ideally the stands should be appropriate for that era, but I’m not a rivet counter. I’m more interested in having the switch stands move purely for the visual effects rather than how accurate the targets are. I can always change the targets.
You probably already have the Tortoise machines, right ? Rapido makes some great switch machines that have a rotating target stand integrated into the mechanism.
I have looked at the Rapido switch stands but I couldn’t find any information on how they actually worked. I didn’t want to take a chance on ordering them until I knew whether or not they actually moved with the points. Thanks for confirming that!
How is your hip doing? Have you started dancing again?!?[swg][(-D][(-D]
If I’m not mistaken, the Rapido machines also have auxiliary contacts for frog and signal connections. If I were starting over, I’d go that route. [swg]
Dave - As for the hip … one year later, I’m still having issues. Looks like I’m in for another surgery. [sigh]
I’m sorry to hear that Mark. Life can be a ‘female dog’ sometimes. My back is not getting any better either but surgery isn’t an option.[|(] I just have to grin and bear it, and pop the occasional Oxycocet when it gets really bad.
Hey, Dave, didn’t Rapido just send you a bunch of RailCrew switch motors, in-error, whereas you had ordered Rapido uncouplers?
I picked-up four RailCrew motors at my LHS when the owner had decided to call it quits (a pity, 'cause it was only a five minute drive from my home).
If I recall correctly they were only eight bucks-or-so each.
They work well, but on my already-built layout, with a recently added partial upper level, they were a bit of a job to install, as the upper level and the fact that they were all being installed near the rear of the layout made access rather limited - long reach and little head-room or elbow-room.
Of course, with the area mostly “finished” it made a bit of a mess…
For this one, I decided to add some paper and rags over the surrounding area, to limit the spray of chips from the spade bit…
Yes, Rapido did ship me some RailCrew switch machines by mistake. I opened one of the RailCrew switch machine boxes to try to see what the switch stands looked like, but I didn’t want to start taking things out of the plastic envelopes. I couldn’t see much with the pieces still in the packages. I am returning the switch machines to Rapido and I want the product to go back in its original condition. I didn’t take the instructions out. Getting everything back in the box was a challenge! Taking the instructions out would have made repackaging much worse.
When I get back from our vacation on August 19th I will likely order some switch stands.
There is a previous thread that addresses operational switch stands. Have not been successful imbeding a link; don’t have time to trouble shoot it now.
Details West makes a switch stand casting which can be used to make an operating switch stand as you have indicated. https://www.detailswest.com/trackside.htm Here are the listed items.
SS-914 Switch Stand (Style I)
SS-915 Switch Stand (Style II)
GT-916 Ground Throw Switch
IS-907 Instrument Shed (6X8)
SS-917 Switch Stand W/Interlock
SM-903 Switch Motor & Tie Mount
Our club has installed them on almost every turnout on the layout. I’m not going to lie. Its not the easiest option to do it but they do look great.
I found one of those old threads that I started. I ended up, I think, with Details West switchstands. Unfortunately, I never got much further than my first turnout. Of course, it was non-standard. I put the switchstandy on top of a carfloat bridge. It worked, but required some tweaking.
I have always admired Wolfgang Dudler’s work. I’m still at a cottage right now so I only have my cell phone. I will be able to study the link in more detail when I get home tomorrow night.
Dave, sorry it took so long to get the link up. I agree about Wolfgang’s work, it is incredible. I intend to use a similar method to make my switchstands rotate, just need to get the space to start the layout. In the meantime, I am buying all the DW914s I can find.
