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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103 Glen: 3 suggestions. Use 1 microswitch to power a relay with many poles. Use a switch machine with built-in switches (tortoise, twincoils) Use a slide switch under the roadbed with a wire from it to move the points and another as the control. [/quote] Thanks for the suggests, but have been through these. Need a system controlled by direct fingerforce to the points rather than by separate electric or mechanical controls or linkages. That lets out #2 and 3. #1 i recently tried a method with a tiny low power sensor 1x3x4mm that is activated by the throwbar, controls relays with a transistor amplifier. The problem with relays is that for battery powered railroads (small and portable) the relay coils waste battery energy. Currently working on a system using pulsed latching relays to conserve batteries, but not finished yet. The N scale Pecos will hold against 3 microswitches each rated at 25 grams activating force, but it's close to their limit and adjustment is finicky. Also the linkage (brass rod in styrene tube bushing) is subject to dirt contamination and sticking, found this out the hard way after a scenicing session.
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