I used part of wire from a tortoise switch machine (any similair wire will work), bent the ends 90 degrees and attached them to the holes in the switch and the manual throw. I inserted the wire from the bottom up so that the wire lies flat on my foam board. I used a 202 S but and trow from CI should work. I trimmed the peg off the 202 S so it would lie flat.
123mikeInteresting, Rich. I was throwing the switch using a wooden skewer stick and not touching the rail points. Maybe the points aren't too delicate to touch, huh. I skewered the center hole/between the tracks before the ground throws. 123mike
I got the idea from watching a model railroad club video where the members always used their fingers for this purpose.
Rich
Alton Junction
123mikeAppreciate all the feedback. Have made it 'work' with both the 202S and the 218S. Wish CI made a variation of the 202 that had a smaller pin so sanding down would not be needed. With the 218S, as shared by one commenter, we have a fitting that has two small pins on a platform. Snip off one and the other makes for a perfect fit in the tiny code 83 Peco hole. Not as sturdy a turnout, don't think, as the 202S; which has the pin molded in (rather than as a clip in attachment as found in the 218S). Thanks to all! 123mike
Of course, the Peco Code 83 turnouts come spring activated, so you can flip the point rails with your finger.
While I have made extensive use of the Caboose Industries ground throws, if I had it to do over, I would simply use the spring activated feature with my finger. After all, if you can reach that manual ground throw, you can reach the turnout to throw the points.
If the prototypical appearance of the ground throw is important to you, install a non-operating ground throw that matches the scale of your track.
I use Peco Code 83 turnouts. I also use Caboose Industries 218S ground throws which have selectable end fittings one of which fits (is made for) the Peco throwbars perfectly. The molded pin fits securely in the throwbar hole and does not slip out. Although both are over scale in size, the advantage of the 218S over the 202 is that the former is smaller and therefore looks better IMO. Caboose Industries even cites the 218S as suitable for N scale as well as HO.
The advantage of the 202S is that the peg is molded right onto the throw.
With the 218S, that pin assembly is a tiny separate piece that attaches to the throw and can slip off of the turnout throwbar assembly more easily.
My feeling is that you will be happier with the 202S.
There's yet another interesting idea, Bill. I didn't even think of that supplied connector with the 218-S that has two tiny pins upon a platform. I can imagine one of those pins fitting into the Peco hole with no mods. I'll be in the 'ground throw' business before long I feel sure!!! 123mike
The 218S comes with 5 different fittings. I used the one on the sprue closest to the base, but cut off the outer pin. That worked just fine. Has something changed so that no longer works?
Bill
Rich,
Good to know. As I said, unless the Peco throwbar is very narrow... . And apparently it is. Filing down the pin may be the only feasible solution.
skagitrailbird Mile, Unless the Peco trowbar is very narrow I would recommend drilling out the hole rather than sanding down the cround throw pin. The the actuator bar & pin are made of Delrin, a pretty tough plastic, but sanding it down may weaken it to the point of breaking. Just my two cents worth.
Mile,
Unless the Peco trowbar is very narrow I would recommend drilling out the hole rather than sanding down the cround throw pin. The the actuator bar & pin are made of Delrin, a pretty tough plastic, but sanding it down may weaken it to the point of breaking. Just my two cents worth.
Rather than sanding the pin on the ground throw, I use a metal file to shape the pin to fit.
Rich, thank you so very much for this information!!! I ordered the 202-S ground throws. I noticed that the picture does in fact show a pin mounted. The 218-S had interchangeable connectors with one being the too fat pin. Seems, as you noted, that the 202-S has the pin mounted as standard. This may just do the trick; will be prepared to sand down the pin if needed. The video showed exactly the same track I'm working with. Thanks again so much!!!
I really like model railroading;but I do hit stumbling blocks and end up pondering the solutions...mostly fun but sometimes frustrating. I'm one year deep into the hobby; but still at about the 'intermediate beginner' phase...lol. With your shared information on the ground throws, I think I shall post another one of my questions in the layout forum. It will be captioned @"Wiring Insulfrog Turnouts"..... !!!
123mike
Mike, as you noted in your initial post, the throw bar on the Peco Code 83 Insulfrog turnout has three "holes", one on each end and one in the middle. The Caboose industries ground throws are intended to be connected to the turnout by inserting the CI peg into the hole on the end of the Peco throwbar. If the peg doesn't quite fit snugly into the hole, you will need to file the peg down to size. I have had to do this that in some instances.
If you take a look at this video, about 10 seconds in, you can see a closeup of the throwbar (the video refers to it as a "tiebar") and the hole on each end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TJsz1hUxMc
Edit Note-I: I went to the Caboose Industries web site and looked at the photo of the 218S. If it doesn't have a peg option, that is your problem. You need the 202S. That is the one that I use, and it comes with the peg attached as the standard option.
Edit Note-II: My curiosity got the best of me, so I researched this issue further. The Peco Code 100 turnout has tabs on either end of the throwbar. The 218S ground throw has matching holes to fit the Peco tab. Since you have the Peco Code 83 turnout, you need to the 202S ground throw.
Thanks Roger and JJ....... Interesting that the Peco code 100 throwbar does have a pin. The 83s surely do have a hole. Maybe CI does not know this.....do they have a customer service # for tech advice I wonder? Yes, drilling could be an option.....to enlarge the hole in the turnout throwbar a bit.......surely would be a delicate operation there and wish I had a fit w-o that mod.....shaving down the connector pin would be even trickier.....a microscope or a 10x jeweler's loupe (sp) could be useful....lol As much Peco code 83 as is out there, would think CI would have a pin connector that would fit the Peco hole in the code 83s. Have a feeling that the hole connector is made for the pin in the Peco code 100s.
Any other ideas on this topic before I drill that tiny Peco HO code 83 turnout throwbar hole.....? Thanks for prior replies and in advance for other ideas....
Hello,
This probably won't help but...
I have PECO code 100 turnouts and they do have a pin on the top of the throw bar on each side and a hole in the center of the throw bar between the rails.
I'm not familiar with the code 83 but I suspect the instructions are for the code 100.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I use Walthers code 83 turnouts with CI 202S ground throws so your situation may be different than mine. In my case the turnout throwbar includes a small hole but the pin on the underside of the 202S actuater bar has a larger diameter than the throw bar hole. I use a small drill in a pin vise to enlarge the trhowbar hole so the pin fits. Quite simple in my case.
Can you drill an appropriate size hole in the Peco throw bar so that the CI pin will fit?
Hello, all. Please let me revisit this topic as I've now received my CI ground throws for my Peco HO Code 83 track and I've hit a snag it seems. I did order the 218-S as some suggested and six of these arrived today. Problem: My Peco turnouts have a small hole on both sides of the throw bar. There's also a small hole in the very middle of the throw bar between the rails. I now use that center one to throw the turnout using a skewer stick. The CI 218-S came with multiple fittings. I assumed I would need a 'pin' fitting to fit in the Peco hole. The supplied pin surely doesn't fit into the hole on the throwbar. What gives with this? Anyone know? Further confusion with the CI package instructions. Here, CI makes reference to all the 'connectors' that are included. For Peco, it notes ' Peco hole'. I can't see anything about the Peco turnout throw bar that could accept a 'hole' as the connector piece......the 'hole' is in the Peco throwbar!! Sounds kinda comical.....do all the other Peco turnouts in the world have a pin on their throwbars and my turnout throwbars have a hole???
Thanks in advance to anyone who can solve this mystery for me. I tried to force the ground throw pin connector into the Peco throwbar hole.....pin seems way to much bigger..........I didn't want to damage my expensive Peco turnouts; so decided to seek your feedback before proceeding..... I will appreciate any help with this!!