mlehmanI'm a Tortoise guy myself and it would be a real nightmare for the manual controls to work on certain locations on my layout. But if I had it to do over again (most everything was in when these first hit the market) I probably would have gone with a lot of manual in preference to power turnout controllers. But remember if you do get in a tight spot with arranging controls, you can always fall back to something at that location controlled with a nice, compact and easy to locate electric switch.
Yes this is a view I share with you.
I'm a ferm beleiver of Tortoise, probably the "Rolls Royce" of turnout switch machines and use them on my N scale Maclau River.
But by the years my approach has changed, I use Tortoise for mainline control turnouts and yard, but all the sidings local track and local switching locations are now manual; I have used Blue point manual control, a box of 12 but switched to Fastrack Bullfrog, less expensive and bullet proof anyway; to control them I use baguette to be welded for blowtorch guided in small rings to be vissed and airplane plastic rods which allow to be slightly curved in non linear configuration.
The reason is cost of course, but also, switching is a slow process so I have all the time to push rods to move the points, they are all made the same, pushed, the straight track is open, pulled, the diverging route is open, so there is no mistake, and a small bicolor led show the position on the fascia panel where the control of mainline turnouts are (green for straight, red for diverging route).
I have a main control panel which control all the mainline turnout, and local panel which able me to move main track turnout to local track, local track turnout are now all manual.
The next step is permissive block whith signal but I'm not to this state now.
Hope this help you to visualize my how to do.
Marc
This thread is over 5 1/2 years old, so read carefully.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Interesting discussion I wanted to subscribe to (and provide myself a link to), as I like the idea of manual turnout control where ever possible.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
I second Mike Lehman's comments about gathering the control rods at a panel. I have a switching area that started with seven turnouts. Partly to save money (though not much) over Tortoises and partly to try the BluePoint controllers I went with them. Getting the control rods snaked around under the layout and to a panel with track diagram was a nightmare. Wire (for Tortoises) can be run anywhere...over, under around, etc. Not so with the control rods. Once I had everything installed they all worked just fine.
Then I decided I wanted to put in another spur. The mere thought of having to remove the existing panel to add one control rod gave me a headache. I used a Tortoise for it, and replaced two of the BluePoints with Tortoises, also. In the next few months I plan on rebuilding the panel with better turnout indicator LED's. In the process I will replace the rest of the BluePoints because building the panel will be MUCH easier.
scrapiron ....Can anyone give me any info pro/con on the "Blue Point "switch machine device i found on the Micro Mark website?....
....Can anyone give me any info pro/con on the "Blue Point "switch machine device i found on the Micro Mark website?....
I bought or already had about one of every type throw and switch machine as an experiment (Bullfrog was not available then). I am working on trials on my test layout to see which solutions I like best. I know I won't use twin coil machines with handlaid turnouts. I have not experimented with my Blue Point yet.
A friend used Blue Points on his HOn3 Free-mo modules at a setup in November. HOn3 Free-mo requires controls on both sides of the module, and that the controls be recessed into the fascia so that nothing protrudes. I'm not sure what went wrong - the linkage wasn't stiff enough or had too much play or insufficient "detent" in the Blue Point or the points didn't move freely enough or what. In any case, throwing the turnouts consistently did not work consistently at the setup. Sometimes, the turnouts would throw just fine. Other times, the points didn't move at all, or only moved if thrown from one side and not the other, or moved partially but not the full movement.
Since then, he is converting his modules to Tortoise machines, which seem to be the gold standard as far as reliability in a modular layout. To obtain that reliable operation with the Tortoise requires replacing the stock wire with something thicker, in our experience. The other drawback of the Tortoise in the modular situation with dual controls is that the toggle handle can't show turnout position. We ended up turning the handles to move horizontally rather than vertically so there would be no attempt to use handle position as turnout position indicator. We look at the turnout - if it's not lined correctly, move the toggle to the other position. This might not be such a great system if more intensive and faster standard gauge operations were the situation.
my thoughts and experiences, your choices
Fred W
Before my layout went into storage, I had just finished assembling and installing something like 17 Bullfrogs.
The first one took me like an hour because I really took my time. The third one was down to around 10 minutes. I found assembling them to be strangely relaxing. And they smell good.
I'm completely serious about that last point. Laser cut wood has a great scent.
Thanks to all for the excellent info on switch control! I did not know about the Bullfrog
machine. I think i will try one of each ( Bluepoint / Bullfrog ) and see what works best
for my layout.
Scrapiron
A fellow NMRA member who handlays his own track and uses Fast Tracks jigs has both. The Bullfrog is cheaper, so he has switched to those. However, the Bluepoint performed well.
Whichever you choose, consider how your fascia will be set up, as the manual control has to mount there. Unless there is tight clearance where the controller/manual switch machine is located, the control knob part isthe trickiest part to figure out.
If your need is just for a few in certain locations, arranging controls should not be too big a deal. But if you have lots of turnouts close together, you may have to give some serious consideration to arrangements that may be somewhat trickier.
I'm a Tortoise guy myself and it would be a real nightmare for the manual controls to work on certain locations on my layout. But if I had it to do over again (most everything was in when these first hit the market) I probably would have gone with a lot of manual in preference to power turnout controllers. But remember if you do get in a tight spot with arranging controls, you can always fall back to something at that location controlled with a nice, compact and easy to locate electric switch.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
oops,
Scrapiron, Welcome to the forums. There are some very talented modelers here who will offer a lot of excellent ideas. And while it takes getting used to, the Search function is also a very valuable source of information.
Wayne
Modeling HO Freelance Logging Railroad.
I've used the Bullfrog manual switch machines from Fast Tracks and they work flawlessly. Easy to assemble but like the previous poster mentioned one does need to either purchase their control rods (~$3.00) or make your own. The Bullfrog comes with a micro-switch that allows one to power a frog if necessary.
These units are very well designed, robust, and will firmly hold the switch points against the stock rail---I highly recommend them if one is interested in manual turnout controls.
You might want to consider the Bullfrog Turnout Controller from the Fast Tracks folks. The assemble yourself version (laser cut wood) is substantially less than the Blue Point. You still need the control rods for either. Maybe whom ever replies on their experiences will comment on both alternatives.
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
scrapiron - Welcome to trains.com!
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
Hello. This is my first post here. Just getting back to model railroading after a
VERY long time away from the hobby! Can anyone give me any info pro/con on the "Blue Point "switch machine device i found on the Micro Mark website?
I will be building a small switching type layout with all hand thrown switches, but a couple of
switches will be just out of reach.