Pneumatic switch system

[the hv rr]

Has anyone used know anything about the pneumatic switch system that Sunset Valley Railroad is selling? I have about a dozen switches on my layout, and it is hard to keep running around switching switches all the time. I am using Aristocraft  switches and the springs in them sure do not last very long. Also,do you just bury the tubing along the track, and run it the each switch. Thanks for any info you would like to share.

[Rex in Pinetop]

My switches are pneumatic but not from Sunset.  I purchased a 500' roll of tubing which was more than enough for the eight switches I currently have.  My switches are either LGB from way back or hand built from the articles in GR magazine.  I do protect the air lines with regular buried PCV pipe.  I hand built my switch station and use a spare 5 gal shop compressor (overkill) to provide the needed air.

Rex

[Greg Elmassian]

I have air operated switches, from the EZ-Air people, who are now defunct. Not all my tubing is buried, but seems to be very sun resistant. I have 27 or 28 switches, and they are operated from 24v solenoids which are run by DCC switch controllers. So all the wireless throttles also control all the switch machines.

http://www.elmassian.com/trains/track-aamp-switches/air-operated-switches

Regards, Greg

 

[the hv rr]

Thanks to both of you for your input. I hope to start setting up the system this summer, and am trying to get some feedback on if the system is good or not. If any one else has anything on this, let me know. Thanks again you guys.

[Engineer_Ray]

I have several of these from an earlier vendor. They have been in use for 8 years or so and work well to operate turnouts I can't conveniently reach. The newer brown or black hose is UV protected so it needs to be protected from shovels but not the sun. Mine is just laid on the surface. You do have to be careful pushing the tubing onto the plastic barbed fittings as they can be broken or cracked - in fact, this is the only maintenance I've had to do in 8 years. The cylinders are very strong and will overcome any dirt in the turnout, but not, of course, rocks from ballast. I've been very happy with these are highly recommend them. As an alternative I've also tried Tortoise switch machines, suitable sheltered from the elements. They are not nearly as reliable or sturdy.