Trackside linkage for Interlocking tower

[tstage]

Is anyone aware of any detail plans for scratch-building trackside rod linkage - used to connect an Interlocking tower to the track switches - in HO. It doesn't have to be working linkage but I'd like it to be somewhat prototypical. One of the guys at my LHS said he thought he saw a "how to" in one of the MR books recently but he couldn't remember exactly which one.

Ever since I saw pictures of Bill Darnaby's Maumee layout in last year's MR special issue of Model Railroad Planning 2004 (see p. 11), I thought it would look really great on a layout. If you think that perhaps I'm a glutton for punishment, you may be right. I'd also love to scratch-build a working ball signal (like the kind you would have found in St. Albans, VT) for my layout as well. (Anyone interested in learning more about them, read the Fall 2003 issue of Classic Trains entitled, "Ball Signals of Vermont".)

Also, any information and/or links on the interworkings of the interlocking tower, levers, linkage, and switches would be appreciated, as well. Thanks for any help ahead of time. [:)]

Tom

[davekelly]

Check the indexes above. Many many years ago MRR had an article or two about them. I honestly don't remember if they were more prototype or how to model. I also think the Walthers interlocking tower kit may have some of the linkages as part of it - not sure though.

[dave9999]

Tom,
I think I have what you need in an old issue of MRR mag. It is a interlocking tower with diagrams
for all of the linkage rods. I' m leaving for work, but I'll see if I can find it when I get home. Dave

[tstage]

davekelly,

Yes, the Walthers one has a short plastic section that comes with their Interlocking tower. I have it. However, it's only about 5" long. I'm really looking for something that I can run farther down the layout and up into the yard.

dave9999,

Hey, thanks, Dave. I'll look forward to hearing from you later on.


Dave & Dave, many thanks to you both. [:)]

Tom

[dave9999]

Tom,
I found it... it wasn't as old as I thought. It's in the January 2004 issue. It's a six page article with
diagrams and photo's. Should have the info your looking for.

Drop me an email and I would be glad to send it to you. Keep it for as long as you need it. That
would be easier than you trying to track down a copy. Good luck, Dave

[tstage]

Dave,

Many thanks! Tell you what, let me first see if my friend Jim has a copy of that January '04 MR. He's in town and it would be easier to make a copy from his. But I'll definitely keep you in mind.

Oooooo, on second thought. I know a library about 10 minutes from here that may also have a copy of it. (Sniff...sniff...sniff...I smell an errand coming on.)

Thanks again for the offer, Dave! [:D] I'll keep you posted.

Tom

[davekelly]

Yup, forgot about that recent article. Check the index anyways, there was an article a couple decades ago (or further). Two is always better than one!

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tstage


Thanks again for the offer, Dave! [:D] I'll keep you posted.

Tom

No problem Tom,
If you can't find a copy, let me know... I'll drop it in the mail. Good luck, Dave

[tstage]

Dave,

Thanks again for the offer for the article. I did stop by the library yesterday afternoon and they indeed had that particular back issue in the magazine section. Wow! Lotsa of info. Enough to make my head swim. [D)]

As I glanced through the article, I realized that the author (Bill Darnaby) was the same guy who's layout I had admired in the Model Railroad Planning 2004 that I mentioned before. I was looking at one of the pictures and thought to myself, "Man, that looks an awful lot like the junction in that other article". I checked the author and, sure enough, it was the same guy. He sure knows his stuff.

There were also some other articles in the issue that caught my eye, so I decided to bite the bullet and order a back issue from Kalmbauch Publishing this past evening. I won't be tackling the Interlocking tower linkage anytime soon, but at least I'll have it for reference and it will allow me a chance to digest it all before taking it on as a project. I have too many other things on the layout that need to get accomplished first.

Anyhow, thanks for tracking that down for me, Dave. I REALLY appreciate the help. [:)]

Tom