Humpyard Switch throws

[Anonymous]

Just received my Humpyard Switch throws yesterday,. Has anyone else tried these? Just looking for pointers before I start, it looks pretty straight forward.

I am using a foam board base for the layout.

Steve
Did a search came up blank on the forum. Maybe using the wrong terminology.Sorry if this has been covered before.

[56chevytimes2]

I plan on ordering mine on friday. How long from date of order did it take for you to get them. I could not figure out what to search for either I tried turnout lever and found a few hits that suggested these but no " how to's"


Kurt 56chevytimes2

[Anonymous]

Less than 2 weeks. I emailed them letting them know I was ordering ahead of time.Does contain a nice booklet about install.

[Anonymous]

Iv'e installed about 12 so far I really like them pretty labor intensive.If you go beyond 6' you have to put on the coupler''very small piece of plastic whith to small holes in it''.I like them but takes a lot of fine tuning to get them to work well.Good luck.[:D][:D][:D]

[mike33469]

Has anyone tried them with Pecos turnouts? Do you have to remove the springs?

[scole100]

I have used many as I am building my layout. I also use peco turnouts. You can leave the springs in, no problems. I am using foam as well. I had problems trying to run the wire up to the turnout from underneath. I run the wire to the top of the foam and up to the turnout. You have to cut a spot to mount a thin piece of wood 1/4 inch next to the turnout, so you can scew in the little clamp to hold the wire end. If you cut it all into the foam just a little once done you can cover it all with ground foam etc. They are labor intensive, but i have found them to be worth it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, i've found them to be labor intensive. After the 1st 2 installed I've pretty much have the hang of installing them.

Thanks,
everyone

[56chevytimes2]

I just ordered mine now for the wait. With the instalation of these i can quit using straight pin to hold the points while i run my layout.

[Anonymous]

Kurt56Chevy,
After looking at your site, (restoring your cars) you should have no problems with the cable system. Looking back at the install of the cables, a lot like hooking up a choke cable on a car.

Steve

[56chevytimes2]

Steve
I thought about using choke cables but they just won't look as cool[8D] as the levers will. I have to get a web sight up for the lay out . I have all the pict now just to put them together. Thanks for looking a the cars.

[SteelMonsters]

Humpyard throws look like an inexpensive option compared to motor operated switch machines. Inexpensive to buy but expensive in extra labor.. I imagine that one of the better ways to instal it is with piano wire in small tubes. This will work with close to straight runs over medium distances. If large changes in direction are needed, rocker arms might work best at juntion points.

Mechanical interlockings shouldn't be too difficult to hook up. Make sure that joints are secured very well other wise you might play cat and mouse games trying to get it to work. I'm sure there are good ways to make it adjustable to get optimum performace. Spring loading and adjustment screws. For very long runs you could add a spring to the wire near the switch to hold it in one position and be able to pull the swtich in the opposite direction with the humpyard throw.

[chicirjs]

Are these the throws that look like armtstrong levers that can be mounted to a layout fascia? If so, couldn't you just connect them to toggle switches under the layout, then connect the toggle switches to electric switch motors? The slow motion switch motors wouldn't be as realistic, so it might be better to avoid those. I know this would reduce some of the coolness factor of the mechanical linkage, but it sure would reduce the amount of labor while increasing reliability. Just an idea . . .