One thing you might want to consider, since no one has mentioned it, is your own approach to the hobby; i.e. what do you want out of your layout and how do you plan to use it? If you're very operations-oriented and plan to have guest operators frequently, then the Caboose Industries ground throws are possibly your best option, along with some of the other good suggestions already posted.
If, however, you're like me and prioritize appearance over operating durability, you'll want to check out more realistic options. For now, at least, I've settled on Central Valley's operating switch stands, as they seemed to provide the ultimate in realism at the time I was comparing all the available offerings. By "operating", I don't mean that you use the switch stand to throw the turnout. Rather, the target rotates prototypically when the turnout is thrown. Yes, they are fragile, so that's why they may not be best for situations where lots of hands will be in the scene often. But they look fantastic! If you do go with some sort of switch stand for appearance, ideally you'd use one of the remote manual control options like the wire through the straw idea mentioned earlier to avoid damage. However, I've been using my coupler pick (bamboo meat skewer) to reach and throw manual turnouts and haven't done any damage (yet).
Several years ago at a local train show, I saw a layout that used mini toggle switches to operate the turnouts. A small hole was drilled through the toggle switch handle near the base of the handle and perpendicular to the switch movement. A length of music wire with a "S" bend in it was used to connect the toggle switch handle to the throw bar of the turnout. This setup not only provided an easy-to-operate sprung manual throw but the toggle switch also provided a convenient way to power the isolated frogs. As a final touch, a hole had been drilled into the top and down through the center of each toggle handle and a short length of music wire with a round target soldered to the wire had been inserted and glued or soldered into each toggle handle. While this wasn't exactly scale modeling of a prototype, the mini toggles were smaller than CI ground throws, visually unobtrusive, and the targets made the toggle handles look a lot like high level switch stands. Now that this thread reminded me of these switches, I might look into replacing one or two of my CI ground throws to see whether I'd like these better.
Hornblower
I have been using the CI 206s N-scale ground throws on all My Atlas #4 turnouts since 1990 and in all that time I have not had any problem's. I have even reused some when changing track plans around. I use #0 x 3/8'' black round head wood screws, that screw right into the Homasote roadbed, no starter hole is necessary and can even reuse the screw, fits right in the base of ground throw. In the pic' there are two on one side. The one to the right controls the points in the street, with a brass rod in a brass sleave inbedded in a trench in the Homasote, works like a charm. Since the photo I have filled in ballast holes and re- weathered the brick street. I don't have problems throwing them either. If You let the handle rest off the ground, rather than all the way down, its easy to flip or use a skewer/flat blade screw driver. They are still a little large....but look better than their HO counter parts.
Take Care!
Frank
BigDaddy The N scale throws have less travel, so they may not work for your HO turnout.
The N scale throws have less travel, so they may not work for your HO turnout.
Rich
Alton Junction
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
joe323 Are the N scale throws easy to use even for uncoordinated people? I use the Ho scale throws but they are way oversize and comsume real estate?
Are the N scale throws easy to use even for uncoordinated people? I use the Ho scale throws but they are way oversize and comsume real estate?
Joe Staten Island West
Lefty, I use only HO scale manual ground throws on my layout, but there are members of this forum who use the N scale version on their HO layouts since the N scale ground throws are smaller and closer to scale.
I have about 50 Caboose Industry ground throws and they work fine. I use the rigid type in HO with Atlas code 83 turnouts. I recently picked up a couple of N Scale rigid throws to see if they would work as well in HO. They seem fine and are smaller so less obvious. Does anyone else have experience using the N Scale throws in HO? Before I swap them out, I'd like to know if I am in for trouble down the road.
Lefty
I use mostly the 202S and 206S ones, with a couple of 220S models where needed. All, including the 206S, which are meant for N scale, work well with Atlas, and Walthers/Shinohara HO scale turnouts.The only modification to use them with Atlas code 83 turnouts is to remove the raised nub from near the end of the Atlas throwbar, although the code 100 turnouts may have a different arrangement.
Wayne
I only use Caboose and like said the high level break but they do look nice. It is the shaft that conects to the handle that tends to twist off.
Roger, for the turnouts where I use Caboose Industries' groundthrows I've never had trouble getting them to operate properly either. I use model 218S types and also find that they have more than adequate throw and are easy to position. After drilling out the base, I also use Atlas track nails to secure them through my vinylbed roadbed to the underlying plywood, with the aid of a nail set for the final few blows. I guess great minds think alike. Lol.
Bob, that's a great idea. But, at least so far, I have been too lazy to implement it.
Rich, I have had no troubles like you describe. Yes, they are larger than scale and not prototypical but I have never had any trouble with any of mine. I find they have plenty of "throw" keepint the points on the appropriate rail. I use track nails to secure mine to the Homosote, starting them with needlenose pliers and finishing with a nail set.
Speaking of nail sets (yes, a little off topic) I cannot see how any model railroader can live without one. The dimple in the end of the one I have fits over the heads of Atlas track nails perfectly--no slipping off as I set nails. If you use track nails for anything, try using the correct sized nail set.
richhotrain I used to be a big fan of Caboose Industries manual ground throws, particularly the 202S for HO scale turnouts. But, alas, my love affair with these ground throws has all but ended, although I still have a lot of them on my layout. Yes, they are oversized in scale, but they also don't have enough range of travel in my experience. You have to place them just right to get them to fit snug against both stock rails, depending upon which way the throwbar is flipped. And, it can be somewhat of a struggle to secure them to the layout. I use track nails, others may screw them down or use caulk to hold them in place. Not easy because they are relatively small. Rich
I used to be a big fan of Caboose Industries manual ground throws, particularly the 202S for HO scale turnouts. But, alas, my love affair with these ground throws has all but ended, although I still have a lot of them on my layout.
Yes, they are oversized in scale, but they also don't have enough range of travel in my experience. You have to place them just right to get them to fit snug against both stock rails, depending upon which way the throwbar is flipped. And, it can be somewhat of a struggle to secure them to the layout. I use track nails, others may screw them down or use caulk to hold them in place. Not easy because they are relatively small.
I mount all of my Ground throws at the edge of my layout!
This eliminates the Operators from having to reach through the scenery, trees and over the cars to throw the turnout.
It also eliminates the Ground Throw from being seen in any PICs I take of the layout so no one knows what type of or size of throws one is using.
I run wires inside of stirring straws and then cover the straws with scenery. No one is the wiser.
BOB H - Clarion, PA
I have about 5 of them as well (ground throw, sprung) and they went on without any modification: just use the correct tip. They are not very prototypical (too big), but they are very strong. I highly recommend using them As anything close to photo will be super delicate.
Here is a page showing one way to link CI ground throws to Atlas (and other) switches.
http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/ground_throw.html
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
skagitrailbird Caboose Industries also makes a high level operating switch stand. The sprung model is 204S. They also come with several styles of linkage one of which will fit the Atlas throwbar without modification. Thes work very well but they are a bit more delicate and prone to breakage than the ground throws. It isn't that they are not well made. It is us clumsy operators that fail to reach high enough or around them, breaking them with our hands, arms, sleeves, etc. I plan on using some but only when there are not a lot of turnouts in a small area.
Caboose Industries also makes a high level operating switch stand. The sprung model is 204S. They also come with several styles of linkage one of which will fit the Atlas throwbar without modification.
Thes work very well but they are a bit more delicate and prone to breakage than the ground throws. It isn't that they are not well made. It is us clumsy operators that fail to reach high enough or around them, breaking them with our hands, arms, sleeves, etc. I plan on using some but only when there are not a lot of turnouts in a small area.
Thanks all for the insight. It definitely helped!
Using the Caboose ind ground throw #218 or #5218 (5pk) had multiple ends which can be swapped out to fit most any turnout available.
It has an end which slips right into the end of the Atlas throw bar.
I have about 100 on my layout now and they work very well!
Mounting a Caboose Industries ground throw to an Atlas turnout will require modificaiton of the Atlas throw bar. Your best course of action would be to purchase a sprung ground throw so you know exactly what one looks like and how it operates.