I'm sure this can not be the first time this has ever been asked ...
How is a "Wye" turnout controlled by a switch machine? Do I need a special switch macvhine to do this? With a regular turnout the switch will throw it all the way to the other position, but with 3 positions on a "Wye" it adds a wrinkle. Thanks, Bob
What you seem to be talking about is a three way switch, not a Wye. On a Wye switch, it has two legs like a regular switch, but both curve away from center in opposite directions.
A three way switch actually has two sets of points, so it will require two switch machines, one for each set.
A wye switch doesn't have 3 positions. It's the same as a normal switch, it just doesn't have a straight route.
A 3-way (is not a "wye" switch) is basically two switches mashed together, so you'd need two switch machines to throw it.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
What I am talking about is a WYE!!! It is exactly as you describe - a straight track with two diverging legs with one frog. The question again is how it is controlled by a switch machine, since most switch machines have two "positions" rather than three. I know I am not the first person on the planet to come deal with this issue this on a layout.
Wye. Only two positions (left and right), so one switch machine works fine.
3-way. 3 positions (left, right, straight-through) via two independent throwbars, so two switch machines are needed
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Cullas_falls What I am talking about is a WYE!!!
What you are talking about is a 3 WAY SWITCH!
The question again is how it is controlled by a switch machine, since most switch machines have two "positions" rather than three.
The answer again is that you need two switch machines, one for each set of points. A 3 way switch is actually termed a "lap switch" because it is really two switches overlapped. You need a separate switch machine for each set of points.
I know I am not the first person on the planet to come deal with this issue this on a layout.
You aren't, which is why all the people who have run into this problem before you are telling you the switch is not a wye and are giving you the correct answer on how to control it.
Two switch machines. Machine 1 is hooked up to the diverging right points, machine 2 is hooked up to the diverging left points.
Normal means the points are lined for the straight route, reverse means the points are lined for the diverging route.
Set the switch machines up so that when you select the route right, machine 1 is reverse and machine 2 is normal, when you select the route left, machine 2 is reverse and machine 1 is normal and when you select the straight route both machines are normal.
Depending on wether you use stall motor or solenoid machines and whether you use pushbuttons, toggles or rotary switches to control the switch makes a difference on exactly how you wire it.
Several people have given you the answer, all you have to do is follow the advice.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
The other possibility (however remote) is a three way stub switch. Scroll to the bottom of this page:
http://www.railwayeng.com/turnouts.htm
The one layout that I know of that uses one of these has it controlled by a choke cable assembly with three positions.
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Sorry - you are correct it is a 3-way (thinking about multiple issues on this layout at once gets me trouble). I had a seperate problem I fixed for the Wye Thanks for the info.