Mounting Turnout switches in a logical location

[Wes Whitmore]

I hope this isn't too much of an open ended question.

I finally have purchased my first track turnout, and want to know what most people prefer...Mount the hand switch vertical on the wood trim near the turnout, or pull all of the controls back to one central control center.  Right now I am conventional, but look to go to command mode with DCS in the future, where I will be able to throw the switches remotely.

Thanks,
Wes

[lionelsoni]

Your turnout controls need to be where your speed controls are, regardless of how you operate.  With wireless speed control therefore, the turnout controls can be located at the turnouts, since you can walk to them while controlling the train.  For a conventional transformer setup, such as I have, it is best to locate the turnout controls near the transformers.

One interesting way to arrange the turnout controls is as studs (screw heads, perhaps) on a map of the layout, which you touch with a grounded probe to activate.  The same map can contain block-control switches and, if you use O22-type turnouts, indicators for turnout position.

[Wes Whitmore]

Thanks for the help Bob.  I am using all MTH track, but I bet I could get a control panel with LED display working with some fiddlin.  Is there a problem with wiring two switches to each turnout, and home run one back to the control panel? 

Wes

[lionelsoni]

I don't know about MTH turnouts, but traditional Lionel, Marx, K-Line--anything with just a pair of solenoids--can have multiple controllers.  With 022-type indicators, you could reach a point where the lamp current could throw the turnout; but just two sets of lights should be no problem.

Perhaps someone else knows what's inside an MTH turnout.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about MTH turnouts, but traditional Lionel, Marx, K-Line--anything with just a pair of solenoids--can have multiple controllers.  With 022-type indicators, you could reach a point where the lamp current could throw the turnout; but just two sets of lights should be no problem.

Perhaps someone else knows what's inside an MTH turnout.

I think Chief opened his up as he was having control problems... but if you ask him to post pictures you may end up with his 'cow chasing the easter bunny' pics from SPF.

Brent