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Interlocking Tower

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  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 208 posts
Interlocking Tower
Posted by preceng on Thursday, November 20, 2003 9:12 PM
A friend of mine is building a 1" scale railroad in his yard. He asked me if I had access to plans or dimensions for a typical Interlocking Tower. While I search on-line, I thought I would post this for my informed Colleagues. Any help, as always, is much appreciated.
Allan B.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 21, 2003 7:58 AM
Trackside Structures (a Kalmbach book) actually has plans for a few of them, including one very impressive, highly detailed tower with complete interior and light made by Ben King.

Andrew
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Friday, November 21, 2003 8:08 AM
An interlocking tower would be a nice project at 1" scale...I'm not sure if they are still around, but some company made manual switches for model railroads that resembled "Armstrong" levers as used in interlocking towers to control switches! If one wanted a unique switch-control environment, one could utilize these switches to actually control the switching via the interior of the interlocking tower by making the roof removable.

Most of the books on model railroad structures had at least one interlocking-tower plan in 'em--shouldn't be too hard to find at your local hobby shop.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 208 posts
Posted by preceng on Friday, November 21, 2003 7:27 PM
Thanks guys
Allan B.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 22, 2003 8:34 PM
1"? " stands for 1 inch. I think you mean 1', 1 foot. Of course, I could be wrong.........
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Sunday, November 23, 2003 1:57 AM
1 foot scale would be actual size...I think 1" scale typically means 1/12 scale--1 inch real-world is a scale foot. Much as O is sometimes referred to as 1/4" scale...

There's a dandy interlocking tower with bay windows in "Brisges & Buildings for Model Railroads" with plans, exploded view and construction details--it is intended for HO but could easily be scaled up. It would be a bit over two feet high.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 24, 2003 8:27 AM
One company that makes levers is www.humpyard.com . Their levers are actually made to work with "choke cable" type turnout control, but would also look very cool in a tower. [Note: web site offline as of 9:30 am Eastern 24 Nov - should be back soon (I guess...?!)]

Andrew

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