Hello All -
I am currently planning a new basement layout for my new home. I was wondering what method of turnout control would be the best for a semi-hidden staging yard? I am planning on the staging yard being the lower level of a two-level layout (if all my planning works out). The upper level would have all the scenery (mountains, tunnels, towns, etc) and the lower level would have an 8-12 track staging yard depending on how my available space works out. The staging yard would be just that...basiclly a place to park trains.....with no scenery. So, my question now comes into play. Which type of turnout control is best for unsceniked staging yards. I plan on using Atlas Code 100 flextrack and respective turnouts. I used the Atlas above table remote switch machines on my first layout where I wasn't worried about looking totally "real," and had no trouble with them. So, for a yard built solely for "parking" trains, will the Atlas remote switch be sufficent, or do you recommend something different? I plan on using the under-table switch machines for any turnouts that will be located on my upper (sceniked) level. Any and all advice, comments, and/or suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks,
Mike
Mike,
I model in N scale and have 20 Atlas remote tunouts in the hidden staging. They've been there for five years and the only problem I've had was a defective control switch. For three crossovers, I use one control switch to throw two turnouts. The control switch that was defective, controlling a single turnout, didn't break contact after it was released and burned out the solenoid in the switch motor.
The key for the Atlas switch motor's ability to survive is to keep the control switches away from areas where someone could lean against them, causing the solenoids to fry. An alternative to the Atlas control slide switches, could be using a non-maintained DPDT switch with a center off (spring loaded to the center off position). Using this type of switch, you could mount them vertically through your staging benchwork and keep the facia clear.
If the Atlas switch machine work for you I would go with what works. I would still drill a hole under the throwbar of each turnout, in case you later decide to make a change, you won't have to tear up the track.
JIM
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
To control the twin-coil switch machines in my staging yards I use probe-and-stud control. The studs are brass screws, inserted in the track lines of the staging control panel track diagram. Each one is wired to the coil of the switch machine that aligns the points for movement into that track. The probe is a stereo plug, with only the tip wired to the 'hot' side of my turnout power supply. The common wires for all the coils are wired to the 'cold' side. When not in use, the probe gets plugged into a stereo jack on the side of the control panel (so it and the wire won't stick out into the aisleway.)
Not only is this the absolutely least expensive control system for twin-coil machines; there is no possibility of a switch failure frying a solenoid.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
With that many turnouts, I second the suggestion to use the diode matrix one button route selection system.
If you don't have a lighted control panel that shows the positions of each turnout you will be reduced to throw them all whether needed or not.