I will be installing some turnouts that are not easily reached by hand and want to explore options for throwing them. The turnouts will most likely be either Peco, or the new Atlas 55. My ideal set up would be inexpensive, reliable, easy to make, and not visible on the top of the layout a la Caboose throws. I do not want to go to powered ones, mainly for the cost considerations. The benchwork is 1x3 framing with 1" foam on top. Track is laid on cork roadbed. MR had an article from Bill Darnaby's (sp?) Maumee route where he made some linkages out of brass which seemed like they might work. I have seen other types mentioned, but have not seen any diagrams/directions. Any suggestions or places to look for this information? Thanks Kirk
Kirk. Helge Kristoffersson in Sweden has his turnouts connected with wires. He has it in his "how to do" section of his web site. I don't know his url but you can get it by typing SR & WF in the search box. I just tried it and it works. It is Sandy River & something or other. [ 29 November 2001: Message edited by: Telegrapher ]</p>
Dear Kirk, it might be so that Dick has misunderstand it a bit. My control by wires are for the uncoupling devices of my own construction. However, it could easily be adopted for control of turnouts. It works like this - the device has a weight that hold the uncoupling actuator down until you move a lever which has a wire connected to the device thereby lifting the actuator, and lift one of the car couplings. As an alternative for turnouts, the weight can be exchanged with a spiral spring, and the control lever must have a guide bar with two cutouts that will hold the lever in either main or siding position. I´m sure that there are many other ways of control a turnout unvisible, but this is my idea. Good luck! -------- Helge SR&WF NARA member #5
