air operated switch machines

[markpierce]

A friend of mine chose Del-air machines on his large O-scale railroad and swears by them.  The machine is low cost ($3 or $4 ea 10 years ago when he bought them), maintains good tension on the points for electrical contact, has a lot of force for the size, is very quiet, and is low profile for table top mounting (this was important to him because he has trouble getting under the table).  They do have some imortant disadvantages, though.  The valve to control them is expensive.  I remember $6 to $8 was the cost per valve, and this brought the cost in line with electric units at the time.  I seriously considerd them for my then proposed HO railroad but decided not to for the following reasons.  I find they are very difficult to control from two or more locations because the valving is complicated and expensive, and electrical contacts for signaling or other uses has to be fabricated.  Also, interface with electrical control, DCC or otherwise, is not worth the effort.  You have to decide, but keep in mind that the hobby and available technology is going fast toward sofisticated off the self electrical control for all apects of railroad control.  I think Air operated devices are just too hard to interface with this technology when we have the tortoise machine available.

Exactly right!

Mark

[srandr1900]

A friend of mine chose Del-air machines on his large O-scale railroad and swears by them.  The machine is low cost ($3 or $4 ea 10 years ago when he bought them), maintains good tension on the points for electrical contact, has a lot of force for the size, is very quiet, and is low profile for table top mounting (this was important to him because he has trouble getting under the table).  They do have some imortant disadvantages, though.  The valve to control them is expensive.  I remember $6 to $8 was the cost per valve, and this brought the cost in line with electric units at the time.  I seriously considerd them for my then proposed HO railroad but decided not to for the following reasons.  I find they are very difficult to control from two or more locations because the valving is complicated and expensive, and electrical contacts for signaling or other uses has to be fabricated.  Also, interface with electrical control, DCC or otherwise, is not worth the effort.  You have to decide, but keep in mind that the hobby and available technology is going fast toward sofisticated off the self electrical control for all apects of railroad control.  I think Air operated devices are just too hard to interface with this technology when we have the tortoise machine available.

[Alantrains]

You can also look for Puf Suk an Oz manufacturer that sell on ebay.  I haven't used them myself nor am I involved with them in any way.

[curtissjoyce]

DelAire was the name I couldn't think of.  Thank you all for your help!

 

[ndbprr]

That system was first developed about 1948 adn there were several articles and reviews back then if you can find the magazines.  While it works it has numerous things to consider.  The air cylinders are quite large.  If you think solenoids move quickly these things move the points and then the entire turnout sideways at a speed that is app. the speed of light (not really but you get the idea).  The bottom line is they are not prototypical in size or operation but they do work.  then ther is all that tubing that has to be run and leak checked.  A wire is easy to do with an ohmmeter and my prefered way.

[jkeaton]

DelAire used to build these, and were well regarded.  Using alltheweb.com to track down DelAire, it seems that they are out of business but E-Z Air switch machines are now available.  This website has a useful description of the two (compatible) systems: www.portlines.com/delaire.htm

James

Ottawa

 

[cacole]

Yes, they are still made.  One brand is called E-ZAir, and is sold by California & Oregon Coast Railway in Rogue River, Oregon.  Their web site is http://www.cocry.com

Air operated turnouts are primarily intended for the larger scales.

[curtissjoyce]

What was the brand name of the air operated switch machine?  Are they still available?