Hi All,
i am planning to set up a simple little test layout with just a couple of switches on a simple board to test DCC, occupancy detection and computer based switchboard. do you have any recommendations what turnout switch machines I could use? Nothing fancy, but I want to control it using Digitrax and it has to be above ground, not under mount since it's only on a board.
Thanks!!
Have you already decided on what turnouts you will be using? Are these "throwaway" machines you don't plan to re-use after this experiment?
Atlas snap switches or customlines can be equipped with Atlas machines. These are twin -coil machines so you will need that kind of DCC stationary decoder as well. They are completely above the surface.
They certainly aren't as nice as slow motion machines, but they work fine.
Slow motion machine linkages can also be done above the surface, but they're a bit more work.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for your suggestion. I already have PECO tracks and turnouts, so I was hoping to not to buy other brand's switches, but I may need to do that if there is nothing else around. Generally speaking, I noticed that a lot of accessories are soled out, signals, for example. I was looking for a 2-track cantilever bridge from Atlas and it seems nobody has those in stock.
Servos aren't very difficult to rig up on the table top, they are inexpensive, and you can get controllers that accept DCC commands. No need to change turnouts. Peco actually has an above table mount for their motors as well, even though the usual method for them is to clip them on underneath the turnout.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Steffen1601 Thanks for your suggestion. I already have PECO tracks and turnouts, so I was hoping to not to buy other brand's switches, but I may need to do that if there is nothing else around. Generally speaking, I noticed that a lot of accessories are soled out, signals, for example. I was looking for a 2-track cantilever bridge from Atlas and it seems nobody has those in stock.
PECO makes top mount switches for their turnouts. PL11 is the model # I use tham as well...
Neal