Can you add remote control to manual Fastrack switches?

[KennyG228]

Greetings!

I have a question that might fit in the dumb question category but here it is. When I put together my layout a few weeks ago, I could not find any Fastrack remote 036 switches, so I used four manual switches. I have now reached the point where I would like the convenience of remote control switches. Is there a way for me to convert manual switches to remote with an add on motor of some type, or do I need to buy the remote switches when they become availiable? Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.[:)]

[Anonymous]

I'd like to know the answer to that as well. I did the same thing but it was a year ago I put my switches in.

[Anonymous]

Replace them. The remote switches internal arrangement is nothing like the manual units. To retrofit a switch motor inside one of the manual units is possible but would be a real challenge. The manual units use a clever pivot point ballance to achieve the non derailing feature in a manual switch. I'll see where the photo's I took of a manual switches guts went and post them.

Someone has posted the internals of the remote units regarding a TMCC socket that is currently empty on the switches, it looks like it might accept a receiver card?

[KennyG228]

Thanks for the input. I thought that it might be possible, because I saw an ad for pneumatic actuators, but it seems that it would be easier to just buy remote switches when they become availiable. Any word on when Lionel will ship 036 remote switches? I would like to know when to get my money together.

[darianj]

KennyG,

Everytime I've gone to Trainworld for O36 remote switches, they've had tem in stock. I never even know there was a shortage. Try them at:
trainworld.com