I will be using 2 double crossovers on my layout and wonder if anyone has any suggestions on control. Is it possible to use one strong switch machine to control all 4 sets of points or should I use 2 machines or 4? I don't see any reason all 4 sets of points can't move at the same time.
Any modelers in the Grays Harbor area?
Wouldn't make sense to control each one indivdually, since you're always selecting a route that needs two switches thrown to get through it.
I would not control all to either be normal or reversed. It's possible, but you double the amount of wear and tear on the system. Better to throw the ones you need and let the other pair rest.
Depending on the way the crossover is wired, having two controls, one for each route, also faciltates wiring the crossover. If you throw all four turnouts at once, that doesn't set a specific route through the crossover. Where if you have separate routes, that wiring can also set the crossing's polarity so it's correct.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
On a GRS interlocking machine, situations like crossovers moced both sets of [points with one lever, however it took up TWO spaces on the interlocking frame, one for each set of points. Each set of points must be aligned and locked individually, so two slots on the frame, but only one lever was needed.
On a GRS machine you initiate the move by pulling the lever, it will move only half way until in this case both sets of points are aligned and locked and then you can finish the movement of the lever which will release those levers that are no longer in conflict with this movement.
On my layout, both turnouts move with but a single lever, however for a double crossover I have two levers since power routing and signal logic requires this.
With both levers in normal trains pass by each other on opposite tracks. But if you pull lever 1, it has to lock out lever 2 and set signals against all other movements.
Inside of my machine a 'dog' prevents movement of an adjacent lever:
This is the interlocking bed of a US&S 'armstrong' type machine:
And this is the interlocking bed on a GRS type machine with its covers removed:
Of course, I suppose that you are just using simple toggle switches with no real interlocking protection, but the principla is the same and should be laid out accordingly.
BTW: The old "armstrong" type levers used in the US&S towers used the operator's box of Cherios to power the switch points. It took TWO levers and three moves to move the switch points. First the locking lever had to be reversed to telease the switch lever, then the switch lever had to be moves, and then the locking lever had to be restored to the LOCKED position before the next turnout could be set. If you could not fully move or lock a particular set of points, you had to climb down from your tower and inspect the switch points removing whatever stones, ice, or debris that was interfereing with the movement of your levers.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
PBRR I don't see any reason all 4 sets of points can't move at the same time.
I don't see any reason all 4 sets of points can't move at the same time.
I don't think real ones do that. Whether or not that's a problem for you is up to you.
Ed
i recently saw a diagram showing a double crossover using bellcranks and links controlled by one machine. like Mel's
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
7j43kI don't think real ones do that. Whether or not that's a problem for you is up to you.
I think you may overestimate the degree to which most of us want to accurately replicate the tedium the prototypes have to go through.
I'd follow Mel's example and throw them all with one machine.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
MR had an article on this, where the modeler controlled the four turnouts with one Torti and a link system. I don't recall the issue, or even how far back it was, but it should come up in the index search.
Jim
I controlled my double crossovers with a single solenode type machine similar to the old Atlas switch machines
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
My previous HO layout had a double crossover - 4 Atlas #6s with an X crossing. Each pair of turnouts had a single controller, and they worked perfectly for the layout's 14 year life.
My current layout is similar, but I chose to use Atlas #8 turnouts and have single crossovers, but they too are powered by one switch.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
In HO scale you can build as you wish. Out on the REALROAD, you could not do that as it would set up a conflicting route.
LION follows GRS specifications. Him can move a pair of points (Two switch machines, one lever on the interlocking machine.) Doing so displays RED signals on all THREE of the other approaches, asince of course you are aligning the entire plant to allow one particular movement.
On the GRS interlocking machine the levers to the right and to the left are for the signals, and those in the middle are for the switch points.
If your train is approaching from the east, you alingn your switches from the west to the east and then wehn all are set you will be able to clear the signals.
It is appropriate to return all of your levers to the normal position after the passing of a train, starting with the signal lever setting that to RED. If you do not do that one first you will not be able to move the others because you are still displaying a green signal to an incoming track.
Interlocking towers are fun. LION automated the trains of him, and now only works the tower.