Trains.com

Track Power

1545 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 2 posts
Track Power
Posted by Dodger2 on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 9:17 AM

Getting a new layout started, would like ideas how to power two manual switches from a location about 30 ft away.. I have no track Power... all Train Engineer R/C.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Shire Counties UK
  • 712 posts
Posted by two tone on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 11:50 AM

Him    I would make my turnouts powered bt LGB motor part num 12010  and as yoy use T/E  an Aristo CRE 55475 I can trigger this unit from 60ft+. units are very reliable.         Hope this helps

                Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life

  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: N. California & Nevada
  • 448 posts
Posted by g. gage on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 7:09 PM

Two Tone has a good solution. I also knew a couple of guys in the Sacramento GRS that had air controlled switch machines; they worked well. One of them had the air compressor in the garage. I believe the system was Del-Aire.

 

I use my Aristo TE for walk around and throw my switches manually.

 Good luck, Rob

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
  • 3,092 posts
Posted by ttrigg on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 7:49 PM

Dodger2:  From my point of view, you have 3 choices.  1. Manual throw, which could be very interesting.  2.  Bury some wires to provide power to and electric throw. 3. bury some rubber tubing for pnuematic throws.  I would suggest that if youdecide on electric or air, you will need toprovide for "power" supply runs out to the areas for future expansion,

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: North Coastal San Diego
  • 947 posts
Posted by Greg Elmassian on Friday, July 10, 2009 2:59 PM

I use air power, Del Aire is no longer, but California and Oregon Coast sells the EZ-Air system, better than the Del Aire.

The air motors are small:

You power them from 40 psi. You can buy small toggle switches to control the turnout, look just like an electrical toggle, but have small "barbs" for the air hose on them.

Your air can come from a compressor, or you can run for weeks from an inexpensive air storage tank:

 See my site for more info and links: (this is the lowest maintenance and most weatherproof way to remotely control switches)

http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/track-mainmenu-93/air-operated-switches-mainmenu-101

Regards, Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy