Free running turnout points

[Century251]

just wondering if anyone has ever used a turnout and let the points free run.  I am building a new layout with loop to loop staging and plan so the staging tracks will only ever be entered from the other end.  Just wondering if this is a viable idea or just a stupid one.  Opinions and advice would be much appreciated.  I've been out of the hobby for some time, and getting back in after what seems like an eternity.

 

Thanks 

Chris....

[cuyama]

Because unrestrained points might drift out of position, that's probably not great for long-term reliability. The real railroads use what are called "spring switches" in this kind of situation and a few modelers have installed them, using light springs to pull the points back to the desired position, but not so strongly as to derail trains "trailing" through.

Jim Hediger described building a spring switch in Model Railroader magazine February 2011. You might try an Internet search for "HO spring switch" (or whatever your scale) -- there are probably multiple web pages with this information as well, here's one

[gmpullman]

Hi, Chris—and 

Besides the spring switch that cuyama mentioned, some railroads used a special automatic switch stand that can be run through without damaging the linkage. These "throw over" and the target even rotates to show the newly aligned route.

http://www.voestalpine.com/nortrak/static/sites/c022/downloads/en/products/Brochures/Switch-Stands.pdf

(see page two)

The main problem with a spring switch is that if you stop movement and reverse you will scatter cars all over the place.

It is OK to have a slight spring pressure for your normal route but keeping in mind if you back up you might "split the switch"

Peco brand turnouts use an over-center spring that will hold the points one way or the other without a switch machine but the spring is pretty stiff so if you run through the points when set wrong (trailing) you will derail the cars. An engine might be heavy enough to slip through.

So, borrowing the over-center spring idea, you could fabricate your own using light gauge music wire that will cause the points to flip over when a trailing point move enters the switch and this will hold the points in this position to make sure they don't "wander" out of alignment. You would attach this over-center spring to the throwbar of your points.

I hope I explained myself well enough for you to understand...

Good Luck, Ed

 

[RR_Mel]

Ed is right on the money!

 

I have used Atlas turnouts for over 40 years and I’ve never had a problem with them, they have always worked flawlessly.  About 10 years ago I needed to replace a pair of Atlas Custom Line #6 turnouts with curved turnouts so I bought two Pico turnouts.  When I saw the center spring in the Pico turnout I fell in love with Pico turnouts.

 

I still like the Atlas but I like the Pico spring more.  I don’t use my turnouts like you described but the Pico spring works great.  The spring mechanism is very simple so I modified all of my Atlas turnouts that weren’t operated by Tortoise switch machines.  The Tortoise holds the points closed where an Atlas solenoid machine can let the points move and not make good contact with the rails.  With the spring installed in an Atlas turnout they make and hold the points against the rails for positive contact.

 

   

 

I modified 8 Atlas turnouts with the "Pico spring".

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[Century251]

Thanks all for the replies and welcoming 

I have looked into spring switches, however, I was figuring that I could get away with letting the points freerun as regardless of the entry point, they would act as trailing point switches similar to street car turnouts as they are located on the exit of return loop staging yards which would be unidirectional so reversing or entry from that end of the staging yards would not be required.  The main diverging/reverse and staging track entry turnouts I planned to use switch machines to align the points.  I used Piko code 75 turnouts on my HO layout which has long been dismantled, and have had to change to N scale do to space limitations, but did like the positive engagment of them.  With the switch to N, I opted to go with Atlas code 55 as the geometry of the turnouts suited my needs more and are readily availible at my LHS.  In my area, Piko N code 55 is almost like looking for a unicorn.  It sounds like I will have long term issues, as the staging yards will be high traffic areas, and without proper point engagement may cause premature point failure from the lateral stress from the wheel flanges forcing them in the complying direction repetedly.  It would appear I nead more switch machines to keep things as reliable as possible.

 

 

Thank you all for your input.

Chris... 

[Ignatosky]

All of my hand thrown Atlas switches are "free flowing". No switch machines or ground throws. Never have a problem with the points moving while a train crosses them. If the points are too loose when I install the switch, I lay a small piece of sand paper, any grit, underneath the throwbar. The sandpaper provides just enough bite to hold the points and still allows a train to move the trailing points without derailing. Works for me. 

[maxman]

I'm not sure everyone is understanding your question.  I think what your asking is if a turnout is always going to be approached from the frog end, is there any reason why the points have to be restrained from moving to whatever position necessary to allow passage through it.

I'm sort of the opinion that the answer is no, assuming you never want to back up.

[joe323]

I concluded that I could leave the Atlas Turnouts on the SIW free running and the trains would probably not derail going through the turnout either way but I decided to install caboose ground throws anyway.  There is just something more railroady about throwing a lever and I got to paint the lever green onthe main and red on the divergent route side making it easier to see the position of the switch. Plus I have the extra insurance of having the turnout locked in position.