caboose industries ground throws!

[Anonymous]

hi guys, i am building a 5 x 12 "L" shaped layout. my base is 2" extruded foam. i am going to use caboose industries ground throws in my yard, and remote on the back side of it. my question is, does caboose industries have a web address, and how is the best way to install the manual ground throws to make them look as real as possible? any help would be great!

thanks!
steve[:)]

[mike33469]

I'm using Caboose Ind. ground throws on my current layout. They work great the best way to make them look sort of real is to paint them rust color. Also mine are nailed and glued [liquid nails] to a piece of cork to get them the same height as the turnouts.

[mls1621]

I model in N scale and used Caboose Industries sprung ground throws to remotely operate the turnouts on the visible part of the layout.

I'm using Micro Engineering turnouts and got the ground throws with the slide switch incorporated to change the polarity of the frogs.

As they are grossly out of scale for N scale, I mounted the ground throws at the front edge of the layout and actuate the turnouts via piano wire routed through brass tubes buried in the foam surface.

Truthfully, unless your modelling in G scale, they are going to be well out of proportion to the rest of your layout. I recommend mouting them at or near the front of the bench work to lessen the effect they'll have on your details.

I used wood, glued to the styrofoam, as a base for my ground throws.

One very important issue to consider if you intend to use the piano wire and brass tubing as i did. Use waterproof grease or other method to seal the ends of the brass tube to protect it from moisture. I neglected that step and had to pullout two turnouts to replace the actuator tube and wire due to rust that had formed on the piano wire, wedging it and locking the turnout in one position. you'll appreciate this warning when it comes time to ballast your turnouts.

Good luck with your project, hope my mistakes will eaze your installation.

[Anonymous]

hey guys, thanks for your input on Caboose Industries ground throws. after careful consideration, ive thought about useing under table switches. does anyone have any experience with under table switch machines on a 2" styrofoam base? will it or can it be attached some how? any ideas are gladly welcome. thanks again!
steve[:)]

[dknelson]

If you have subscribed to MR for a couple of years, go back to Jim Kelly's Turtle Creek Central project layout -- he has good instructions for how to install these ground throws
Dave Nelson

[dand200]

Steve, I think what you loose in prototypical looks with the Caboose Ground throws you more than make up for in functionality. I am currently building the Turtle Creek Central that dknelson referred to. Like willist, I glued a piece of cork to the foam to get the throw up to track level, then just spiked it to that cork with track nails, so if I decide to change hardware later it will be less trauma to the layout. This is my first serious attempt at a complete layout, and this my affect my opinions; however, the throws feel sturdy, solid and have been reliable for me during my operations. It sounds like you are going under the table now which is great but maybe too much work for a yard????? Good luck with whatever method you use.

[Anonymous]

You might want to check in to RC airplane push rods, Carle Goldberg Goldenrods are one brand. They come in all sizes, fill flex around obstacles, some will do a 90 degree turn. much easer to work with then music wire in brass.

[Anonymous]

hey guys, thanks for the feed back, im just gonna stik with the caboose ind. ground throws for now, less work.
thanks!
steve

[ondrek]

I have just started to use these throws, they work great. I found that i can attach them to a small piece of wood and glue that to the base and adjust the height so the throws work with the switches well.

[rogerhensley]

TO give you another idea on how you can install ground throws, check out:
http://cid.railfan.net/ground_throw.html