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Model of a Switch Motor

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  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Columbia, Pa.
  • 1,592 posts
Model of a Switch Motor
Posted by Grampys Trains on Sunday, November 16, 2008 3:45 PM

Hi all: I've just finished installing switch motors on all the turn outs without switch stands in my yard. I thought they looked naked without something mounted on them. Anyone else have these on their layout?

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Scottsdale, AZ
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Posted by BigRusty on Monday, November 17, 2008 1:28 PM

That looks very nice. Where did you get the motors?

Modeling the New Haven Railroad in the transition era
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Columbia, Pa.
  • 1,592 posts
Posted by Grampys Trains on Monday, November 17, 2008 3:38 PM

 Thanks, Big Rusty, they are Details West, SM-903.

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Posted by Loco on Monday, November 17, 2008 3:55 PM

 Again, very nice.  Really gives it that extra "look"

LAte Loco
  • Member since
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  • From: Amish country Tenn.
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Posted by loathar on Monday, November 17, 2008 11:06 PM

I'm planning on using those too when I get to that point. I think they're a great looking detail touch. A little pricy when you need 20 or so. Are they metal or plastic?

  • Member since
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  • From: Columbia, Pa.
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Posted by Grampys Trains on Monday, November 17, 2008 11:29 PM

Thanks Loco.  Hi Loathar: They are white, soft metal, but I think the detail is incredible. The only picture I could find of a proto is in the Kalmbach book, "Trackwork and Lineside Detail" on page 47. The model looks almost exactly like the pic, with the added manual throw lever. And, yes, they are a little pricy, $1.75 ea. I got 25 of em, but I think it was worth it. And, after looking closely at that proto pic, I noticed that the machine was not on top of the head blocks, but suspended between the ends of the head blocks, so I lowered them. Here's a pic with them lower.

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2004
  • From: Amish country Tenn.
  • 10,027 posts
Posted by loathar on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:59 PM

Hmmm...I may have been looking at a different brand. I think the ones I saw were $3+ each. What store did you get yours from?

  • Member since
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  • From: Columbia, Pa.
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Posted by Grampys Trains on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 2:32 PM

 Hi Loathar: I ordered them directly from Walthers.

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Posted by tatans on Thursday, November 20, 2008 5:56 PM

Those switch motor covers look great, and very realistic, the alternative (nothing) is tragic. What kind of car is that? it looks like a Meteor ( a Canadian Ford thing)

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Columbia, Pa.
  • 1,592 posts
Posted by Grampys Trains on Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:54 PM

 Thanks tatans: I'm not sure what that car is. I thought it was a Nash, but it could be a Canadian Ford.

  • Member since
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  • From: Teaneck, New Jersey
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Posted by rxanand on Friday, November 21, 2008 7:54 AM

 Very nice touch! These are the kind of details that really finish a layout.

Slowly building a layout since 2007!

  • Member since
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  • From: Amish country Tenn.
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Posted by loathar on Monday, November 24, 2008 9:21 PM

Hey DJ! These are the other stands I was thinking about in case you hadn't seen them.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Rix_Products_HO_0013_Switch_Stand_p/rix-0013.htm

 

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Columbia, Pa.
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Posted by Grampys Trains on Monday, November 24, 2008 9:51 PM

Hi Loathar: I did look at them, but I used the same ones Wolfgang Dudler and Ray (Howmus) used. Those Rix do look good, though. These were the only model switch motors I could find.  Thanks for the link.

  • Member since
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Posted by RDG-LNE on Monday, November 24, 2008 9:54 PM

 Alexander also makes a white metal switch motor:

 

 

It's part number 3107 and available at 6 for $3.30. More info here:

 

http://www.tomarindustries.com/asm.htm

 

Drew

Modeling the Reading Company, Jersey Central Lines and Lehigh & New England in the 1950's.
  • Member since
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  • From: Columbia, Pa.
  • 1,592 posts
Posted by Grampys Trains on Monday, November 24, 2008 10:00 PM

 Hi Drew: I must have missed that one in the Walthers catalog. But, if that's what the switch motor looks like, I think the Details West has a lot more detail. Thanks for tip, though.

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