lay switches at grade -- yes or no?

[Anonymous]

Is it OK to have an HO switch at an angle (ex., at a 2% grade)? I'd hate to have track at a grade, level off for the switch, then start the grade again.
I've heard they should be level- but does that mean "parallel to the floor" level or "no change in grade" level??

- John

[Anonymous]

I have tried it both ways and found that keeping the grade the same worked best. The 1 drawback is that if you do any car drop offs in this area, then you will have to be level or the cars will be rolling.

kevin

[Anonymous]

Definately keep the switch at the same grade, just make sure it is 'flat' parallel to and across the rails. For the rolling car problem you can use a 'hill holder'. An article was in MR years ago to make one using an auto choke cable. Basically mount the pull knob in the fascia and cut the outer tube to length so it goes into the subroadbed from underneath and cut the wire about 1/2" longer (HO). It needs to be positioned in the siding where your cars a most frequently left and the protruding wire is between the axles of a truck. When you connect the loco, pull the knob which retracts the wire letting you move the cars.

[Anonymous]

For a commercially made 'Hill Holder' try Semaphore Locomotive Works, 1458 Horizon Blvd., Racine, WI 53406 phone [phone]. sorry no web address

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep them in grade and make sure they the tracks are level with each other.

- John