Lionel "Manual" Fastrack Switches

[Dannyboy6]

I have a few Fastrack switches that are the manual variety, and am wondering if anyone has come up with a way to operate them remotely. Thanks in advance! On the cheap? ;0)

[Demay]

Great question Dannyboy6,

I was thinking the same thing. I have yet to splurge on the remote ones.  If we don't get an answer here, I will ask the question in the Yahoo Fastrack forum I follow.

Joe

[Dannyboy6]

I did ask MicroMark if their "SWITCH TENDER SWITCH MACHINE" would work with Lionel manual switches and they said they didn't know why it wouldn't work. Of course you'd need to add the DPDT switch too. That ends up around $20 to the cost of the switch. for another $10-12 you could buy the parts for the red/green/ liight from Lionel and wire that in too. I have slightly modified one of my switches from the bottom, and if I can find a small gearbox that works at 90 degrees, I might have a cheap manual solution. I'll get back....

[arkady]

What I'd like to see is a way to make Fastrack switches do power-routing.

[Demay]

Here is a summary of the answers I received in the Fastrack group:

" I recently took apart a Fastrack Manual switch that was broken and replaced 2 parts (a swivel rail link and a swivel rail).  For the cost of the 2 parts plus shipping I could have bought a used manual Fastrack switch on ebay.  My point is that for the cost of the parts it would take to convert a Fastrack manual to a Fastrack remote, you could buy a used remote on eBay and it wouldn’t cost any of your time."

"I took the switch coils off an old O27 switch. Then I made a bracket to mount the coils and attach to the fastrack switch. Then I made some linkage, attached wires and it worked."

"It involves buying a lot of parts. A LOT! And cost comes out to be more then buying a remote switch to begin with."

I will avoid the hassle and splurge, and buy remote switches when I'm ready. 

Regards,

Joe

[Dannyboy6]

Hi Joe et al,

My intention [rather than replicate the Lionel Remote Switch] was to simply buy the lantern and base, and use a 3rd party switch like the Micromark product, or a manual lever to operate the switch. When I locate those parts, I'll re-post the results. 

Most of my efforts right now involve creating a motorized coal delivery mechanism for the coal tipple on my layout. I've fabricated the transmission from PVC pipie and a gardening bulb auger, and am now hooking up the motor from a battery operated drill. I hope to complete it and test it tonight.....

Happy railroading!

Dan