The #56 works the same way; you slide the switch, then push it down to send the pulse. So instead of a light to tell you whether the switch is open (green) or closed(red), you have a (labelled) 2 position switch. At least then you can run your remote yard with a glance at your board; all that the Bachmann turnouts come with is just the button and sometimes a directional switch. The Bachmann turnouts also come with an optional power line to power the frog through the turn; I'm consulting another thread on here to see about using just the one control to also work as my isolation switch.
Also - my LHS owners are all telling me that Atlas is having troubles with their stateside manufacturing plant, and that orders for the #57 and #56, for that matter, are back ordered with a delivery date of at least December, if not beyond. So this may all just be a 'theoretical' discussion. Lots of 56's on Ebay; but only one 57, from Australia, & I ain't payin' $30 for a $12 part...
The #57 has a selector switch(from what I have seen) that is similar to a CTC machine control. You select which way you way the switch to move, and then press the 'button'. There is an internal circuit that keeps the reg/green lamps powered after you release the 'button'.
Here is a web link to the #57:
http://www.atlasrr.com/trackmisc/57switchcontrol.htm
This web page also has links to the wiring diagrams...
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Excellent; thank you. And they come with decals so the switch can be labelled. A light would have been nice; but maybe down the road once Atlas gets past its current problems.
It appears the #57 is essentially glorified version of the #56, so for all intents and purposes, I'd say that's a "yes".
Brad
EMD - Every Model Different
ALCO - Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
CSX - Coal Spilling eXperts
Well, that last post derailed my original & modified question completely, so I'll try again: Is the Atlas #56 the same as the #57, but without the lights?
narrow gauge nuclear I always lusted after real lighted switch stands to do the indicating. I remember the old cool, Red/Green target switch lanterns from the 50's and have long wanted to work them into my old HO layouts. In downtown Richmond of the 50's just two blocks from the main st business district, the C&O had a modest, yet busy, freight station and multi-switch yard. Every city bus going up and down 9th street or 8th street was forced to trundle over about 7 tracks as the yard filled two full city blocks. At nite, as the bus rolled over these, you could see a small ocean of these, low to the ground, target lanterns shining their reds and greens. Really cool night scene. I have only seen white metal stands in HO scale offered in this type of switch stand back in the 80's. They used tiny red and green jewels so often common to the old HO marker lights, etc. One might have hoped for at least a lighted affair offered by now that there are micro-bicolored LEDs available as I am particularly taken by night time MR operations and lighting is the key.
I always lusted after real lighted switch stands to do the indicating.
I remember the old cool, Red/Green target switch lanterns from the 50's and have long wanted to work them into my old HO layouts. In downtown Richmond of the 50's just two blocks from the main st business district, the C&O had a modest, yet busy, freight station and multi-switch yard. Every city bus going up and down 9th street or 8th street was forced to trundle over about 7 tracks as the yard filled two full city blocks. At nite, as the bus rolled over these, you could see a small ocean of these, low to the ground, target lanterns shining their reds and greens. Really cool night scene.
I have only seen white metal stands in HO scale offered in this type of switch stand back in the 80's. They used tiny red and green jewels so often common to the old HO marker lights, etc. One might have hoped for at least a lighted affair offered by now that there are micro-bicolored LEDs available as I am particularly taken by night time MR operations and lighting is the key.
That would look cool. What about using an appropriate switch stand (Caboose maybe?) and adding fiber optic from an under-the-table LED?
Does the Atlas #56 switch do the same as the #57, only without the lights? (it looks identical...) Given the current situation at Atlas, it may be that I will have to do this other way, as 57's are scarcer than hen's teeth. At least the #56 switch could then be labelled, 'open', or 'closed'...
Control board lights for switches used to be common when under table switch machines had 4 pole double throw contact groups.
Good luck on getting the "stick on" contacts mechanized to operate the bi-polar LED to constant on.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Good Deal - Have Fun!
Way cool! Thanks, Jim!
IIRC, the EZ-Track switches have a twin-coil solenoid machine. I assume these are the non-DCC ones. The switch controller is a momentary switch - You only get a 'pulse' to the EZ Track switch. Holding it too long may burn out the solenoid. The bottom line is that the LED will only 'flash' when the button is pressed, and they go off. You are going to need some kind of 'stick' circuit to keep the LED lite. Here is a circuit that will do what you want:
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/ToggleTwin.html
Atlas has a #65 Deluxe Switch Control Box that has LED's built in. This should work with your EZ-Track switches:
www.atlasrr.com/.../57switchcontrol.htm
The title pretty much says it all; has anyone done this? It seems like a no-brainer; I understand about the resistor in the circuit but am just curious if there was anything else to consider. I plan to use the LEDs on my control board, not at the switches.In the 3 wire green leads coming from the remote, is the common lead the one in the middle?
And, no, I don't wish to turn this into a discussion about the merits or lack of them with EZ track; it's just what I've got.
Thanks.