Air pressure switch motor/machine

[Anozira]

I've had it with electric switch motors.  There is a pnumatic air pressure operated piston switch machine on the market known as E-Z Air.  Anyone use this system of switch control?  How does it work for you?  Any problems?  I understand that it is foolproof outdoor switch operation.  What do you think?

Thanks,

[Greg Elmassian]

I use them.

They work great.

Not one problem.

The supplier is a great company to deal with.

See my site:

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

Regards, Greg

[gbbari]

Excellent choice. Over the past several years I have read several testimonials very complimentary about that product line and have read none that were negative. Apparently these are one of the most weather-proof (other than ice) types of switch drives that are available. Also they need very little air pressure and volume to operate. If you're going to have remote-operated switches and have to run wires, why not run the thin tubing instead and get more reliability?

PS - you still have to keep your switch points clean from debris - pneumatic drives won't overpower wayward ballast or natural debris that may block the points from moving. Let us know when you get them installed and, of course, pictures!

[two tone]

Hi JB  You dont say which size of railway you are using IE  HO OO or G gauge  I run g gauge and use LGB turnout motors and have never had a problem with any of them. Only down side of air is that you are going to need a compresser fort the air supply.  If you go down this route make sure you bury air line so that if you are gardening you dont damage it.

[Anozira]

Anozira RR (ARR) is an outdoor O on an elevated roadbed.  To see photos of ARR, go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26562973@N06/sets/72157620677173383/

We have a compressor, but will get a portable tank for the pressurized air supply to run the E-Z pistons.  The air supply tubing will be installed under the track roadbed as we have done for the electric wire runs.  The problem I see for installing the pistons is mounting them at the switch.  We don't have the room under the track to mount the pistons in regard to screwing the piston retainer to the underside of the roadbed.  Maybe we can do that if we can work upside down to set the screws.  I am concerned that below the switch mounting does not apply enough force to slide the points as compared to track side mounting.

Regarding track side mounting, we don't have enough lateral space for the piston to be mounted perpendictular to the switch.  We have to mount the piston parallel to the track.  Parallel mounting requires a change in the piston's arm action direction and I'm not sure how that is done.

[Greg Elmassian]

Did you look at my site and see the long black switch machine that goes parallel to the track?

Contact Stretch at California & Oregon Coast RY, he has bellcranks and all kinds of ideas about mounting stuff, he will find a way that works for you, great guy.

Regards, Greg