All of the above by Dick Reichard.
Rob
This is outside of the model world, but the turnouts on the Mt. Washington cog railway are really unique.
Never got a picture of one, but as I remember it, there were sections of cog and rails that hinged horizontaly off to one side or the other, swapping strainght and curved sections. Took two or three guys working at top speed 30 to 45 seconds to 'throw' the switch.
I think that the Lionel 1121 and 1124 turnouts are of the type mentioned.
Bob Nelson
Major I also have some AF standard gauge switches of this design and they are much nicer than the Lionel, Ives of early AF designs. Far less sparking and bumping along by the locomotives when they traverse the switch.
Could you post some pictures of these? I'd like to see them so I can identify them when I see them.
Thanx!
American Flyer switches from the 30's and 40's operated differently than today's. They were of a closed frog design and the non used running rail became the center rail. The idea was pretty slick at the time and operation is quite smooth. I also have some AF standard gauge switches of this design and they are much nicer than the Lionel, Ives of early AF designs. Far less sparking and bumping along by the locomotives when they traverse the switch.
We had a strange switch come into the store with an old collection. There were no markings on it to determin manufacturer. It was a two sided switch, one side was right hand, flip it over and it was left hand. It was manually operated and appeared quite old. I'm guessing its still around the back room somewhere, if so I'll take a photo.
I believe Atlas came out with the double slip switch which is very unique.
Bill T.
Yes I do get dyslexic at times.
Has anyone manufactured a 3 rail O scale switch that functions in a greatly different way.
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
".....rails that slide at one end?"
Are you referring to a stub switch?
Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.
Boyd, could you take another run at this question: "In the present and past have there been other designs of switches made than what we with rails that slide at one end?" I don't understand what you're asking.
In the present and past have there been other designs of switches made than what we with rails that slide at one end? If so can you post pictures and comments on how well or poorly they worked. I came up with an idea for a switch today but don't want to describe yet to the world of model railroading.
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