I'm interested in some lighted indicators at mainline turnouts and see the Tomar 851. It is described as having LED(s). Not sure whether one or two. Does it rotate somehow when the throwbar moves, or does it stay in one position and the light will just switch from the red to the green? Or are all colors lit and it turns so the track direction see the appropriate color facing the engineer? I don't even know how a prototype would work but I assume it would rotate 90 degrees.
I have Walthers Shinohara code 83 turnouts if that matters regarding the throwbar.
I presume I can power these via Tortoise contacts if electrical switching is needed. I see it has a 2.2k resistor, does that imply to supply 12v DC?
The Tomar site tells next to nothing...just shows a photo.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Tomar-HO-LED-Illuminated-Switch-Stand-p/tmi-851.htm
If the Tomar 851 will not accomplish my objective of seeing turnout position, I will revert to dwarf lights wired per Mr Beasley's suggestion in another current thread.
Thanks for any advice.
EDIT: I found the attached 2009 thread seems to answer my question...should have tried the search first. I think my interest in this item is gone based on what I read there.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/163771/1802885.aspx#1802885
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Paul,
I'm glad I read your thread again,because I was going to answer,,until I saw your,Edit,,,,,If you still want to try another kind,,NJ International makes about four different switch stands,that work off of the turnout throw bar,,that have Jewels,red and green,with red and white flags,,that are pretty reliable,,the whole shaft rotates,when the turnout is thrown,,,easy to hook up and cheaper than the Tomar set up...
Just A Thought,,
Cheers,
Frank
In my experience, the various HO scale switch stands are just too small and too fragile and too hard to build and operate. I have 8 of the Caboose Industries Hi-Level switch stands on my layout for the turnouts in my passenger station. I would not use them again.
Better to just wire up some dwarf signals, if you ask me. I use the Tomar Industries dwarf signals, and I am very satisfied with them. They connect to the Tortoises that control the turnouts.
Rich
Alton Junction
Yes, I've decided the dwarf lights will achieve the easy visual flag that a mainline turnout being approached is in the desired direction. Were dwarfs used for this, or are they really just low signals about the blocks ahead? Where would be an appropriate position, and would there necessarily be one for each direction (I only needing one for my visual objective)?
Thanks.
peahrens Yes, I've decided the dwarf lights will achieve the easy visual flag that a mainline turnout being approached is in the desired direction. Were dwarfs used for this, or are they really just low signals about the blocks ahead? Where would be an appropriate position, and would there necessarily be one for each direction (I only needing one for my visual objective)? Thanks.
Paul, I use the Tomar Industries dwarf signals extensively in my freight yards and sidings.
On the prototype, dwarfs are used as turnout indicators and they typically face one direction, so that is how I use them. While they may be used for block signals on the real railroads, I have never seen them used as such, but rather as turnout indicators in yards and sidings.