Since most electrical swithes have a big Black box thing attached to them, I have decided to go with atlas custom line switches, the question is: I plan on having a 2" thick layer of foam as the sub-roadbed and that sits atop 3/4" plywood will the under the table switch machines reach? I have never used them before and have no Idea. Also is there another way to switch besides the black box or under the table box? Thanks, Josh
Well, yes, you can make the under-the-table machines reach, but that is a pretty good stretch. Your other option for commercial turnout throws is Caboose Industries ground throws, the look a little more realistic than those black boxes, but do the same thing. I am currently using them on my two four foot modules, and am very satisfied with the result. There is a picture of the HO scale one at http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/97-218 - but the N scale one is similar. Product numbers are 105 for rigid, 206 for sprung.
The ground throw is made in both rigid and sprung models. After installing the rigid version on my home layout and club layout, I found the travel is too great and moved the rails. I have replaced all of them with the sprung version.
Josh, Your construction is basically the same as what I have. I have many switches in place but only one so far with the under table switch machine hooked up (all the rest to follow). I used a piece of brass wire to extend the reach on the switch machine. Seems to be working very well so far.
Who says that all turnouts have to be powered with switch motors? On the INDIANA RAILWAY the only turnouts that are powered are ones that aren't easily reached by hand. I don't use the ground throws by Caboose either. Some turnout points are move by the old time tested "choke cable" system. Once you get this system adjusted right, it will last for years, no elctrical parts to wear out and is fairly cheap to make. I use a home made lever system to move the cable, but I have seen a lever control system based on the prototype Armstrong lever control system. The cable control levers look just like the control levers used in interlocking towers. Don't get caught up in the idea that every turnout has to be electric power to move the points. Hand power works just good and is usually a lot more reliable over time than electrical powered points motors. The old twin coil turnout motors work fine for awhile, but after you burnout 6 to 10 of the twin coils, it gets old quick replacing them. I do like the Tortise slow motion turnout motor, they seem to be as close to being fool-proof as anything and are pretty easy to install. There are several other types of the slow-motion turnout motors also. I do have one question for you, Josh. Why are you building such heavy benchwork for N-Scale? I mean, 2" of foam board over 3/4 " plywood? Seems like this is a little bit of overkill to me. If you are using extruded foam(blue or pink) you won't need that heavy plywood under it. I use a 2" extruded foam board and under most of the ltrackwork I use 3/8" plywood and under the rest of the layout I just support the foam board about every 6" with a cross piece of 1 x 4 or 3/8 plywood riser. The thinner the better to me, when I want to redo a part of the layout . All I have to tear through is a small cross section of plywood and foam board to get things put back together .
