Hey, just wondering how you tell, OR if there is an electronic device that indicates which way the remote switch is going. I have a layout with 17 switches and no way to remember which way they are in after I go through them. Is there a marker I can put on the switch itself, or what? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Trev.
T
Just when you thought your layout was done, it's time to expand!
There are multiple ways you can handle this, depending on how you're activating the turnout. You can wire LEDs to display the switch orientation on your fascia. Thre are scale switch stands that can be rigged to turn from the turnrout throwbar so the target shows the direction. One idea I use is to have the normal (straight) route toward the left on every toggle (the is the convention from CTC machines, but is otherwise easy to remember), but that of course won't work if you're throwing using an accessory decoder. I'm sure you'll get other suggestions.
Rob Spangler
I made a "map" out of the plastic flourescent ceiling fixture cover, it's white and you can't see through, 2'X4'. Secured it to 1x2's. drew the map of my layout using automotive pin striping, different color's for different lines and blocks (yea I still use blocks) and for switch's. I used 5mm bi-color leds which turn red or green depending on which way the turnout is thrown, green for straight, red for the turn. I wired it with 6 wire telephone cable, the black wire is used for the common (ground) or short leg of the led and of course you need resistors for each led. I hung mine on the wall. I have 45 switch's and it's a lot of work, but worth it. I use a DC transformer and the track side to power the leds. The bi color leds will turn yellow if you use ac power and stay yellow no matter how you throw the switch unless you use a directional diode, which I don't recommend, use dc power. Jim
If they are electrically controlled switches, then the position of the toggle switch = the position of the turnout. In the tower, the position of the lever = the position of the turnout.
Normally the DOWN position of your toggle switch = the NORMAL alignment of the turnout.Thus any lever in the OP position is out of line for normal movements.
On my switch machine a pulled lever = a diverting rout on the railroad. An interlock inside of the machine prevents conflicting alignments. Since I use Tortoise machines the position of the lever also controls the home signals on the layout. A switch thrown against your approach not only displays a red signal, but also cuts power the approaching track.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
G1techguyHey, just wondering how you tell, OR if there is an electronic device that indicates which way the remote switch is going. I have a layout with 17 switches and no way to remember which way they are in after I go through them. Is there a marker I can put on the switch itself, or what? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
So it really depends on what type of turnouts you have and how you control them as to what advise we would give. Are these turnouts with hot frogs? Are they activated with a slow motion motor (like a tortoise) or are they twin-coils that snap instantly? What is the control mechanizm used to change them Atlas turnout selectors, standard SPDT(M), DCC stationary decoers or what? Knowing these things we can prune down the suggestions to things that make sense for your specific situation.
Until I get around and upgrade my control board I use the switches that come with the Atlas turnouts, the big ugly looking thing. I put the switch in an up and down orientation on the control panel between the drawing of the tracks and what ever track the switch is closest too is the track that the train can go on.
Plenty of good ideas here already. I'd sum many of them up as:
Establish a convention that works for you and stick to it.
Some lean towards CTC and other dispatcher-biased systems. This works great for mainline action. Note that I'm not against dispatchers, even slower moving operations need them. Rather I'm referring to operations that involve constant close coordination with the dispatcher by crews.
These are my conventions. I model narrowgauge, for the most part, so my set-up is a little different, slower paced. Many of my turnouts are controlled by DPDT switches located on the fascia in close proximity to the turnout. In yard areas, there is usually a panel because of the numbers involved.
In all cases, I try to align the switch so that the flip of it is perpendicular to the track orientation of the turnout. So many aren't oriented vertically, but in a way that helps suggest which turnout it controls. Along with labels and track diagrams, this makes it easier on new crews unfamiliar with the territory
What is absolutely consistent is that the toggle points to the rail against which the points are thrown. Seeing the way that the switches are thrown also helps crews sort out which turnout to use in crowded areas, because the orientation of the points can be compared to the controls to confirm what controls what.
Another convention to aid my crews is a small, green round-headed pin. This is placed on the side of the turnout at the points/throwbar and indicates the Normal position the turnout should be left in after use. In a way, the pin looks like it could be an illuminated lamp if you squint hard enough. These pins are the straight stickpins with the 1/8" or less round colored plastic heads you can get at most any office supply store. You may have to but an assorted color package, as they sometimes don't carry packs of all green pins. But they're cheap. Here's a pic where you can see the pins, if you look closely, which is the point -- they're unobtrusive in most cases.
So my crews get reminded in several overlapping, cheap and easy ways about the indicated turnout position.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have mostly Atlas #6 turnouts, complete with the push-button actuator, wire and the , what I call the solenoid. Atlas item # 851 and 850. I have 1 or 2 Peco wye's as well, and I have one Peco three way wye. The peco wyes are controlled with the peco motor, which mounts on the bottom. The Atlas ones mount on the side, all are 'snap' acting. I am running DCC, with the NCE Power cab. I hope this helps.
Texas Zepher G1techguy: Hey, just wondering how you tell, OR if there is an electronic device that indicates which way the remote switch is going. I have a layout with 17 switches and no way to remember which way they are in after I go through them. Is there a marker I can put on the switch itself, or what? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. There are more ways to do this than one can shake a stick at. There are devices that can be physically attached to the throw bar of the turnout that display a green or red placard. There are electronic devices that can be connected to the controller that remember which way it was thrown. I had one layout where I had the track laid out on a panel, the toggle switch for the turnout was momentary contact but the handle remained in the direction it was last pressed (non-centering) so I could just look at the handles. So it really depends on what type of turnouts you have and how you control them as to what advise we would give. Are these turnouts with hot frogs? Are they activated with a slow motion motor (like a tortoise) or are they twin-coils that snap instantly? What is the control mechanizm used to change them Atlas turnout selectors, standard SPDT(M), DCC stationary decoers or what? Knowing these things we can prune down the suggestions to things that make sense for your specific situation.
G1techguy: Hey, just wondering how you tell, OR if there is an electronic device that indicates which way the remote switch is going. I have a layout with 17 switches and no way to remember which way they are in after I go through them. Is there a marker I can put on the switch itself, or what? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
There are more ways to do this than one can shake a stick at. There are devices that can be physically attached to the throw bar of the turnout that display a green or red placard. There are electronic devices that can be connected to the controller that remember which way it was thrown. I had one layout where I had the track laid out on a panel, the toggle switch for the turnout was momentary contact but the handle remained in the direction it was last pressed (non-centering) so I could just look at the handles.
I used Peco switches and Peco switch machines, and they all have NCE stationary decoders.
When I use my NCE throttle, it remembers which way the switch is thrown.
I have a total of 24 on my layout, with more being installed.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Atlas makes a Snap Relay #200 that can be wired along with the Atlas switch machines. You can use the output from this to power LEDs or other lights on a control panel that will show you which direction the turnout is aligned http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/150-200
That being said, you can also go to Radio Shack and buy relays that will do the same thing, and probably will cost less.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Your best price on relays will probably be at All Electronics.
I do like the prototype did when hand throwing switches. After the last car is through I flip the turnout to the main or branch or yard track I just came off of. If you get in the habit of keeping the turnouts routed to the main tracks then you know before you get there which way the switch is set. The book of rules for any railroad states that any hand thrown switch must be reset to the previous route after going through. Any train taking a siding would drop off a brakeman to operate the switch so a following train will not wipe out their caboose.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
locoi1sa I do like the prototype did when hand throwing switches. After the last car is through I flip the turnout to the main or branch or yard track I just came off of. If you get in the habit of keeping the turnouts routed to the main tracks then you know before you get there which way the switch is set. The book of rules for any railroad states that any hand thrown switch must be reset to the previous route after going through. Any train taking a siding would drop off a brakeman to operate the switch so a following train will not wipe out their caboose. Pete
Pete's method is good, and it's protoypical.
I'm a KISS kind of guy. I use walk-around control, and look to see if the turnout is lined correctly. If not, I line it for the other route. Controls are located locally on the fascia. Or if no throw mechanism is installed yet, move the throw bar/points with my fingers. I'm still experimenting to see what kind of mechanism I want to use in the long term.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
Hey Trev.
This may not be the best, or proper way to do the job but one of my Grand kids loves to do the switching. so I have a diagram and color coding with the Atlas switches showing direction.
What ever serves the purpose.
Have fun
Lee
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0]
This guy sells a small circuit board with a toggle switch. It drives either Atlas or Peco twin-coil machines. The circuit board has outputs for LEDs to indicate turnout position. You mount the circuit to the back of your control panel. The toggle switch is part of the assembly, so all you need to do is mount it like any other toggle and wire it up.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/Index.html
The part you want is his model 751D. I've got a couple of these on my layout, driving Atlas turnouts down in the subways where the sun don't shine, but LEDs do. They work fine. By the time you buy a toggle switch and a latching relay, you're up close to this price anyway.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I use semaphore signals operated by the same Tortoise machines that power their switches. An alternative would be position light signals wired to the toggles that route power to your solenoids. I have one of those, too, although it also is used with a Tortoise. Both work well and give you a clear indication of the switch position.
Tim
tpatrick An alternative would be position light signals wired to the toggles that route power to your solenoids.
An alternative would be position light signals wired to the toggles that route power to your solenoids.
The OP is using Atlas and Peco twin-coil machines. These are typically controlled with SPDT momentary-contact toggles, so they can't be used to drive signals that you want to see after the turnout flips and you remove power by releasing the toggle.
For Peco machines, there is an accessory unit available which will give you contact closures, configured as an SPDT. This could be used to drive lights, if desired.