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Caboose Industries Ground Throw?

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  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: Milton WV
  • 253 posts
Caboose Industries Ground Throw?
Posted by Trainzman2435 on Sunday, December 15, 2019 6:28 PM

Hello, can anyone tell me if the Caboose Industries ground throws will work on N scale turnouts or are they just for HO scale? Does anyone have any better recommendations for N scale manual turnout throws? Thanks!

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, December 15, 2019 6:51 PM

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, December 15, 2019 9:56 PM

Not only do they make them for HO and N, but I often used the sprung N scale ones on my HO scale layout.  The amount of throw is sufficient for HO, and they're a bit smaller than the HO scale ones.

I'm slowly working my way around the layout, replacing the Caboose Industries' ground throws with this simple spring set-up...

...and adding Central Valley switchstands, with targets that can be manually set - useful for layout photos.

I'll also be motorising a few turnouts which are now hard to reach due to the addition of a partial upper level, but will retain the C.I. ground throws in all of my five staging yards, as they work well and are very durable.

Wayne

  • Member since
    October 2019
  • From: Milton WV
  • 253 posts
Posted by Trainzman2435 on Monday, December 16, 2019 6:09 AM

Thank you oth for your replies, i really appreciate them and the information. Can either of you suggest the cheapest place to purchase them in bulk? Thanks again guys!

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Staten Island NY
  • 1,734 posts
Posted by joe323 on Monday, December 16, 2019 6:10 AM

I met the manufacturer of Caboose at one of the train shows. He does not recommend using N scale throws on HO.

The only issue I have with Caboose and their is not much I do about it is that they are way too large.

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, December 16, 2019 7:46 AM

joe323
I met the manufacturer of Caboose at one of the train shows. He does not recommend using N scale throws on HO....

That's surprising, as I'm pretty sure that their ads, at one time, touted that possibility.  While the majority of mine are the HO scale versions, I've never had any trouble with them or the N scale ones - complete throws every time, without fail.

Wayne

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Monday, December 16, 2019 10:49 AM

The N scale models have a "throw" of .135" while the HO models are .190".

Some HO turnouts require the longer throw in order to hold the point well against the stock rail.

https://www.cabooseind.com/product-info

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2019
  • 27 posts
Posted by Alco_Pop on Monday, December 16, 2019 7:15 PM

I used the powered Caboose Industry ground throws on my HO industrial shelf layout for a while until I started getting conductivity issues at the copper contact.

I have gradually replaced all of them now with a powered micro slide switch which works in conjuntion with a push pull wire which slides under the now static CI switch

phil

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 2:17 PM

Alco pop - that's word I've heard my British wife use - low alcohol pop IIRC.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 2:29 PM

Alco_Pop
I have gradually replaced all of them now with a powered micro slide switch which works in conjuntion with a push pull wire which slides under the now static CI switch

I had a few setups like you describe, Phil:

 IMG_1328 by Edmund, on Flickr

I made the aluminum brackets, drilled the slider for music wire and the operating rod.

 IMG_1316 by Edmund, on Flickr

In most locations I used wood dowel and these wood knobs to operate the points:

 IMG_1334 by Edmund, on Flickr

 IMG_1320 by Edmund, on Flickr

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2019
  • 27 posts
Posted by Alco_Pop on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9:04 AM

gmpullman
I had a few setups like you describe

Yes.. something similar, Ill post a photo when im home

as i have a shelf point to point layout i dont mind doing it this way

mine are pretty crude at the moment as i have just replaced the CI ground throws and making do in the mean time whilst i design a more hidden arrangement

yours are very ingenious

Phil

  • Member since
    December 2019
  • 27 posts
Posted by Alco_Pop on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 9:07 AM

Smile

riogrande5761
Alco pop - that's word I've heard my British wife use

 I first heard it watching the 3 Stooges years ago

I like the Alco engines too  Smile

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Quebec
  • 983 posts
Posted by Marc_Magnus on Thursday, December 19, 2019 10:37 AM

One thing which has always really disturb me is the fact they are oversized in both scales, HO and N

But they are fine worker to move points in both scales.

Not enough the fact they are oversized, I 'm quiet afraid about gigantic arms and hands which goes over scenery and models to move them

I really study their use for the expand of my N scale layout.

But I' m in the way to make test to move the points with the caboose placed on the edge of the layout.

All main turnouts will use Tortoise or Hankcrafts display motors but industrial and local turnouts will be moved by hands and probably with caboose industries ground thrown, but from the edge of the layouts.

I will place them in a small wood recess in the edge of the layout to avoid destroying them

But for sure none on the layout.

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