Hi everyone, I am approaching the stage where i will start laying track on my layout. I need make some decisions so that i can move forward with respect to turnout control. I got about 10-12 turnouts on the layout. I am using Peco code 83 turnouts. I am considering either: 1. Leaving everything manual, 2. Using Tortoise on mainline turnouts only and manual elsewhere, 3. Using Tortoise everywhere. Options 1 and 3 provide uniformity and standardization (which i like in general). Options 2 and 3 give me the option to be able to handle signals and fascia control panel leds*. *I really like the idea of having some sort of custom fascia control panels with indicators etc... I am looking forward to your suggestions and many thanks in advance for your time and replies! Yannis
All comes down to how you want to operate. Personally, I find trying to manually operate a switch, especially from the "track side" disruptive and I tend to knock things over. If you have to reach over one track to switch another, don't do it! An under-the-layout operation, such as we have on some of our groups Free-Mo-N modules is fine.
I don't often disagree with Rick, but I will this time - at least a bit. My NKP layout, which is built with all Atlas Code 55 track and switches (except for a few hand-laid ones), uses all Tortoise switch machines to operate the turnouts, with toggle switches on the fascia to run the Tortoises. The problem is that in complex switching areas, like my steel mill scene, an operator has to figure out which toggle switch operates which turnout, and that is more difficult that it seems, particularly when there are four or five turnouts very close together. Though I have a track diagram on the fascia to help, with a lot of trackage in a particular spot, it is still hard to match up the track diagram with the actual trackwork and switches. Even I make mistakes throwing switches in this area; you can imagine what an operator who visits the layout maybe once every three months has to deal with. I never had this problem on my old layout when I used Peco Code 55 switches that you "flick" to operate the points. And it is easy to understand why. You see your engine or cut of cars, see the next switch, throw the points with your hand and move on. No looking down at the fascia to figure out which toggle throws which switch. So if I had it all to do over again, I'd use manual control for high-density switching areas (though I would leave the Tortoises on the main line and to operate the yard ladders). The main problem with this approach is what Rick pointed out: it won't work if you have switches buried deep in the layout so that you have to stretch over to reach them. Since my layout uses less than 2' of depth in most areas, this isn't a problem except in one or two spots (e.g., the yard, which is why I'd leave Tortoises there). A second problem is that I have yet to find a satisfactory manual throw mechanism that doesn't look horribly out of scale. The Peco switches were ideal, because you didn't need a separate linkage to operate them manually. But if you have Atlas Code 55, you need some kind of linkage. The Caboose Industries ground throws work, but look awful; other solutions (slide or toggle switches buried in the layout) never worked well for me when I tried them out. And manual throw using cables attached to knobs on the fascia really isn't any better than using toggle switches with Tortoises for complex switching areas. So . . . good luck figuring this one out. Let me know if you come up with a good solution! John C.
John and Rick many thanks for your input! All my turnouts are within reach. I am after signals/lights/leds control at the same time as turnouts switch. Cost-wise tortoise, servos and mechanical linkages (commercial ones) are on the same level for me (Europe). I do not foresee any ultra-complex industrial trackage according to my track plan (current and future/extended versions) as seen here (current version) http://www.trainboard.com/highball/...ngeles-pasadena-cucamonga-rr-ho-scale.113239/ (In a future version (out of topic here), i add 5 more turnouts (spread over) on the mainline. There is also a yard/coach yard etc... but this is another story and most probably a problem for the future.) Most probably (in order to have signals/leds) the simplest, easiest solution is tortoise?
If your intention is to have one centrally located control panel, then remote electrical activation via tortoise/peco/etc switch machines would likely be the way to proceed. If each turnout is going to be operated locally at the edge of the layout, there are other mechanical options that also provide electrical contacts to enable signals and other indicators. The BluePoint unit is one such device. https://ppw-aline.com/collections/blue-point-manual-turnout-controller Some choose to create their own actuators based upon toggle or slide switches and scratch-built linkages using various rods and/or cables.
Complexity breeds problems. It also is expensive. I would tend to keep everything as simple as possible. The Peco switches have an over center spring that will hold the points firmly against the stock rails. Points are thrown using your finger to move the points. No additional cost is involved. Maybe you don't want to do that as it could result in some heavy hand possibly disturbing scenery. You can use a small slide switch to throw the points. The advantage here is that you can hook up LED's to the switch contacts to indicate the switch position. Relatively easy to do and far less expensive than using electrical switch machines.
Given this info, I'd probably use a Tortoise. It has contacts that can power LEDs on signals or for an indicator on a panel. I don't know if the Peco Code 83 switches (HO scale I assume?) have the center holding spring like the N-scale ones do, but if they do, you'll have to remove the spring to use a Tortoise or replace the Tortoise actuator rod with something stiffer (maybe .032 music wire would work). The stock Tortoise actuator rod has too much give to overcome the Peco holding spring - at least this was the case in N scale with the Code 55 switches, and I assume the HO ones would be even more stiff. John C.
Hello Yannis, I took a look at your layout thread and your benchwork is impressive. I look forward to seeing your layout come together. A question- Will you be using DCC on your layout and if so would you be controlling the Tortoises (should you choose that route) through the DCC system? Stan
I would go with decoder controlled turnout motors on mainline with local turnout non dispatcher controlled areas left to manual BluePoint (fascia push pulls) or ground throws.
Thank you all for your help/feedback/replies, and Stan thank you for the kind words with respect to my layout. I am using DCC. For the time being i do not plan for the turnouts to be thrown using DCC, just analog push buttons / toggle switches on the fascia. In the future though i could consider / look into some more automation on my layout (passenger train circling around while the freight does switching and getting out of the way). On the current layout i got 4 non-mainline turnouts and 6 mainline ones. Most probably i will want to have uniformity in controlling the turnouts, although i do appreciate the concept that JP proposed. John C, i do plan to remove the springs from all the turnouts for using the tortoises. It seems that i can do this even after installing the turnouts but it is easier to do on my benchwork. From what i read it is a reversible process. Point 353, i did look into blue points but despite my initial impressions i think i will prefer the simplicity of tortoise. Thank you for the recommendation and the link though!
I run on the Livingston Model Railroad club layout and they are all Peco track. Some of the turnouts that are hard to reach are motorized, but the majority, being that they are spring loaded are controlled by an operators finger. The layout is DCC.
I chose tortoise motors eventually. Based on suggestions / reading they seemed like the best fitting solution for my needs. Many thanks once again for your ample help, suggestions and time. Yannis
Bremner, i saw these and they looked very interesting, unfortunately i could not source them locally. Thank you for the suggestion.
