Well guys I need your help once again. I would like (if possible) to control these 3- 3way switches with 1 rotary ganged switch. It is very difficult now knowing if the turnouts are aligned right doing it manually. I also hope to put a led between the ties of each route to aid in seeing if the turnouts are aligned right. I used servos to control the other mainline turnouts (Tam Valley Depot controls). I would appreciate it if someone could take the time to post a line drawing of the above/ below or if not give me some suggestions. I am open to using any turnout motor etc but not tortoises (lack of room under the turnouts). I am also open to using relays if needed & I assume this will be the case. I am not open to lengthning the distance between the turnouts as this will shorten the ladder tracks.
Thanks
Bob D
Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.
If you're using Tam Valley controls, you can use the controls with the LEDs so you have panel indication. If these are not stub turnouts, a 3-way is really just two turnouts in succession, so you could diagram it on your panel that way and position the controlles to the LEDs will indicate the route. The first set of points determins if the route is to one side, or into the second set of points, and the second set of points determines the route to eithr the middle or opposite side. So with just the two LEDs on each controller, it will show on the line drawing which route is selected.
Draw it that way on the schematic rather than the traditional one line dividing into 3, since unless it's a stub switch that's how it really works.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have no experience with a rotary ganged switch, but I do have a similar track configuration to yours.
I have three 3-way turnouts, end to end, to reach both sides of my double main line or to pass straight through to my coach yard. The approach track to these three 3-way turnouts is coming out of the large passenger station to the left of the turnouts.
I have set up a series of six DPDT toggle switches on a control panel with bi-polar LEDs to indicate direction of the point rails. I also have a pair of dwarf signals on the layout for each 3-way turnout to visually verify direction of the point rails.
I use Tortoises to control the 3-way turnouts, so I am surprised that you feel you do not have enough room under the turnouts.
As you can see in the control panel diagram, the 3-way turnouts are set up with the straight track on the left and the divergent tracks on the right. The toggle switches are set up so that they correspond to the respective point rails. For example, the right most toggle switch controls the divergent rails on the third turnout to the right.
To reach the upper main line tracks, the pair of controlling toggle switches are flipped upward.
To reach the lower main line tracks, the pair of controlling toggle switches are flipped downward.
To route a loco or train straight through, the six toggle switches are alternately flipped down and up.
The control panel LEDs confirm the direction of movement. Red followed by green will direct a loco or train upward. Green followed by red will direct a loco or train downward. All green will direct a loco or train straight through to the coach yard.
The dark black circles indicate the position of the DPDT toggle switches on the control panel. The clear circles indicate manual ground throws for the turnouts in the coach yard.
Hope this helps.
Rich
Alton Junction
My 3-way turnouts are Walthers Shinohara Code 83 turnouts.
I produced the drawing using Powerpoint, and then uploaded it to Photobucket.
Note: This discussion started on a previous thread which ought to be merged into this one.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/p/216399/2378859.aspx#2378859
It looks like this discussion is being moved to a new thread.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/216407.aspx
The moderator probably ought to combine them into one.
My mistake I responded by hitting post instead of reply I would appreciate it if the moderator combined them into one
I meant to add that the switches are Peco SL99 C100 insulfrog turnouts so frog polarity does not come into play here.
Rich what photohosting program did you use to post your drawing? I tried to use Photobucket but wound up deep sixing that in favor for the simpler Flickr.
subman Rich what photohosting program did you use to post your drawing? I tried to use Photobucket but wound up deep sixing that in favor for the simpler Flickr.
I use Photobucket. It works fine for me.