Turnout Control with the 'Spring Switcher'

This is one of a number of ways I've come up with for controlling a turnout. I really like it and have decided to try it out in more depth as I'm starting the roadbed and track/turnout construction on the layout. I like the toggle control of the 'Spring Switch' the best as I used it with the 'Gravity Switcher' on my test track.

I have a good servo turnout control that I can use and probably will in some places but want the feel of throwing the turnouts manually as I run a train around the layout. The toggle control (see video further down) kind of give me the impression that I'm throwing a switch machine. I don't have to look at it as the feel of it lets me know if it is thrown or not. I can also set it up so that when it is up the turnout is aligned with the 'thru route' and down the turnout is thrown for the divergent route.

It is also easy to setup LED indicators on a small panel at the toggle or have the LEDs in a larger control panel. The 'Spring Switcher' under the turnout can also change the polarity of the frog.

I'm using the turnout switch machines I've designed with handlaid turnouts but see no reason they wouldn't work with any turnout that can be controlled with a servo or Tortoise switch machine. If you have a 3D printer you can print these and buy the associated parts for a few dollars per turnout.



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Click ( HERE ) or on the above image for a video of the 'Spring Switcher' being controlled by the 'Toggle Switcher'.

You can find the files to print the 'Spring Switcher' ( HERE soon when I get them posted on thingiverse.com) and You can also find the files for the new version of the 'Toggle Switcher', one option to control the 'Spring Switcher' ( HERE soon when I get the new version posted on thingiverse.com).

You can find all the files to 3D print this object and others on my thingiverse.com account ( HERE ).

You can also find the above info and more on my website ( HERE ).

Sumner

 

Thanks Mike and ...

I have thought about that actually. A ways back after seeing this....



I thought maybe I could so something similar in my yard area and played with first this idea ....



... where there would be a track plan with LEDs and numbers at the various turnouts and corresponding control boxes with numbers that would activate servos for the numbered turnouts. Then kind of progressed .....



... with the idea of the track-plan and LEDs with the control off to each side still numbered and along the thoughts of the switch tower in the first picture.

Now with the compact 'Spring Switcher' and using levers more similar to the first picture of the switch tower I might be able to compact it to be a little closer to the switch tower look. There would be a lot of fishing line under there but it could run pretty close to being directly under the layout's surface.

I'll be thinking about it. Couldn't really come up with a good idea on how to make the levers so they had enough pull length before and also having them lock in the direction where they were pulling against one of the 'Gravity Switcher's' weights. The toggle being larger has no problem locking in against the weight or a spring and is easy to release. Smaller levers are going to present more challenges but that is OK, I like challenges. Before I was probably going to use the 'Gravity Switcher' which works great but you have to lift one of the weights about an inch thus needing a longer travel on the lever the control line is connected to. With the 'Spring Switcher' you don't need to have much travel in the control line so much more doable.

I'm a ways from needing to do this as now the goal is to get the perimeter track down along with the staging and coal mine tracks so I can make sure it is all in good working order. Then need to get the upper level in so I'm not working over the lower level trying to do that. In other words the main large yard is a ways off at this point.

Thanks for the interest and thoughts and one can read and see more about my earlier thoughts on the subject ( HERE ),

Sumner