I have a two track mainline staright section in HO. I want to add a turn out to an industry spur. The problem is that there is a plastic tab that is linked to the switching mechanis that sticks out of side of the switch. It doesn't fit bewteen the tracks so I can;t throw the switch. I am sure this is something that someone else has seen. I am open to suggestions Thanks
That plastic tab if I am picturing what your describing is the throw bar. Some guys have removed the throw bar and flipped it around so it comes out the other side of the turnout but unless you have confidence in doing it I don't recommend you try. I would just nip off the ties on the parallel track that interfere with the operation of the throwbar. But I have to ask how far apart are the two tracks center to center? Refer to the NMRA website linked below for the correct distance between lines. You can check it easily with an NMRA gage . As a general rule of thumb tracks should be far enough apart from each other that things such as your describing don't happen. It's not just put it down the way you think it should look or what looks good, but rather to stick to the standars the NMRA give you to follow. I've learned the hard way that these guys really know what they are talking about and if you follow what the recommend it leads to a lot less problems.
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-8.html
I agree with the earlier suggestion on using proper clearances.
Some manufacturers have the throwbar sticking out both sides of the turnout. This looks un-prototypical. Cut off the end of the throw-bar that is causing problems and connect the turnout control to the other side. On the cut-off end, use a file to be sure that no burrs are left that may drag against the base. If, for example, you want to have the turnout control (such as a ground-throw) on the front of the layout and the turnout is on the track that is away from the front of layout, you can cut a little trench in the base with a razor knife all the way under the foremost track and use a piece of brass rod to connect the ground-throw to the turnout. Once these are painted in something like grimy black that blends into the ballast, it looks fine. Be careful not to get glue down into the throwrod track when you put ballast down.
Bill
PowhatanFan I have a two track mainline staright section in HO. I want to add a turn out to an industry spur. The problem is that there is a plastic tab that is linked to the switching mechanis that sticks out of side of the switch. It doesn't fit bewteen the tracks so I can;t throw the switch. I am sure this is something that someone else has seen. I am open to suggestions Thanks
Many of the Atlas (and some other brands) turnouts have an extended throwbar. This allows a switch machine extension to be used and provides a point to connect the switch machine mechanism to the throwbar when you use the extender. If you don't use the extender, you can simply clip off the excess length of the throwbar. See about half way down this page for a switch drawing showing standard terminology:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/track.html
Notice the line showing the attachment of the switch machine to the throwbar. If this is the part you refer to, then you can just clip off the excess.
If you are manually throwing your turnout, cut off the interfering throwbar and use a Caboose Industries groung throw. Some sw ties will be needed and fab some linkage.
http://www.micromark.com/CABOOSE-INDUSTRIES-208S-GROUND-THROW,8799.html
http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/u_cab.htm
Here's a link I found for another alternative: incorporating slide switches http://www.nmra.org.au/Layout_Tours/Saxon/Switch_Throw.html
and http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=13.html
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org