NW-Modeling-List Digest, Vol 91, Issue 13

[NW Modeling List]

More on Switch Machines:  Nothing wrong with Atlas under table units for a home layout, less expensive if you need to buy a whole lot of them.  No matter which ones you choose, I recommend you heed the advice in Jim Brewer's post below regarding meticulous care in positioning.  A sixteenth of an inch can be a big deal in under table mounting.  Also, when you're upside down underneath and can't see the track, it's easy to be 10 or 20 degrees out of alignment with the track above (machines need to be parallel or perpendicular to the track).   Don't screw it down until it works exactly right.

Bob Lang





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Sent: Mon, May 16, 2011 9:00 am
Subject: NW-Modeling-List Digest, Vol 91, Issue 13


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oday's Topics:
   1. Re: SWITCH MACHINES (NW Modeling List)

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Message: 1
ate: Mon, 16 May 2011 11:20:01 +0000 (UTC)
rom: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
ubject: Re: SWITCH MACHINES
o: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org>
essage-ID:
   <59019817.319745.1305544801827.JavaMail.root at sz0048a.westchester.pa.mail.comcast.net>
   
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

When I began my layout 25 years ago, I used the twin coil type switch machines; 
ince I wanted them "hidden" this required mounting them under the layout; I 
sed the Rix mounting fixture for this.? I had some of these machines from a 
revious layout and bought some used ones at a train show.? They required 12 
olts DC to throw and they would "snap" the points over with quite a bit of 
orce. 

Eventually, I tried some of the Tortoise switch machines and have never looked 
ack.? I replaced all of the twin coil types with the Tortoise machines.?I do 
ot use the edge connectors for attaching wires to the machines; I prefer to 
older the wires directly to the machines contact pads.? I also use .032 piano 
ire for the actuating rod, rather than the .025 that is included with the 
achines.? My roadbed and subroadbed are 1 inch thick; I find the heavier wire 
olves any problems related to?the thickness of my roadbed.? I also drill the 
learance hole in the roadbed 3/8" instead of the 1/4" recommended. 

To mount the machine I put a piece of double sided foam tape on the top of it; I 
hen slide the actuating rod into the clearance hole and through the center 
oint of the turnout's throw rod.? I make certain the rod is straight up (if I 
m under the layout I do this with a helper) and not leaning in any direction; 
nce satisfied the rod is straight, I press the machine and the double sided 
ape to the subroadbed.? I then use a power pack with test leads to make certain 
he Tortoise throws in both directions with sufficient tension on the points.? I 
ave found that by making certain the actuating rod is "straight up" before 
ressing the machine in place will almost guarantee a perfect mount every time.? 
f for some reason the machine doesn't throw the points in both directions to my 
atisfaction, it is easy to remove the machine and reposition it. 

Once I'm satisfied the machine is throwing the points property, I then use 
crews to permanently mount the machine to the underside of the subroadbed. 

Although I have never had a Tortoise fail, the manfacturer provides a 9 year 
arranty. 

Jim Brewer 
Glenwood MD 

---- Original Message ----- 
rom: "NW Modeling List" <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> 
o: nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org 
ent: Monday, May 16, 2011 12:02:04 AM 
ubject: Re: SWITCH MACHINES 

he layout I work and operate on, Carl Winkler's, was built in the late 60's. If 
ny of you were at the national NMRA convention in St. Louis in 2001 and went on 
he layout bus tours, you may have been there. The layout has well over a 
undred twin coils that are NJ International style. Due to age and heavy use we 
robably replace three or so a year. The problem is, that style of twin coil 
witch machine is not made anymore to my knowledge. If I am mistaken about that 
lease let me know who is making them. We use a powered probe to energize brass 
ins in the schematic on the control panel to throw them. They work very well, 
ut are not scale speed like the Tortoise. 
oug Langlitz 




----Original Message----- 
rom: NW Modeling List <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> 
o: 'NW Modeling List' <nw-modeling-list at nwhs.org> 
ent: Sun, May 15, 2011 8:30 pm 
ubject: RE: SWITCH MACHINES 

I'll throw in my 2 cents Ed. 
I help build, maintain and operate a large HO layout (Tom Enloe's Pacific 
orthwestern). Typically I operate as yardmaster in a 12 track double ended yard 
ith station facilities off one end and engine facilities off the other. I would 
ay that there are approximately 50 switch machines in this portion of the 
ayout. They are roughly split between Circuitron Tortoise machines and Scale 
hops switch machines. 
Tortoises: Once installed, the Tortoise machines are very durable and reliable. 
are is required in the installation in order to get them centered and set 
arallel to the throw of the points, but is not difficult. They are quiet and 
ealistically slow in operation. In the years that I have been with this layout 
 have not known a Tortoise to fail.?Tortoises are used in all new construction 
nd most of the modeled railroad has been built with or retrofitted to them.?I 
m also retrofitting my own much smaller layout with them from Caboose Hobbies 
and throws and would note that they are much easier to install centered under 
he points as the turnout is installed (or at least drill the hole for the throw 
ire) rather than retrofitting them to the side or with bent wire mechanisms 
fter the turnout is in place. 
Scale Shops: These are threaded shaft motor drives where the moving dolly throws 
he turnout and makes/breaks a set of contacts, some of which are part of the 
otor wiring and stop the motor at the end of the throw. They are not as precise 
egarding the mounting as we used all bent wire throws which left us some 
djustment after mounting. Unfortunately I do not rank them as high in 
eliability. Since there is some momentum to the motor and dolly, they can 
lightly overrun the cutoff point of the contacts. Then when thrown to the other 
irection they just whine at very high frequency. Some of the more senior 
embers can't hear this whine and don't know why the switch didn't throw. We 
ave also had the contacts get bumped (they are exposed) which misaligned them 
r pushed one contact set into another. On one or two occasions we have had the 
otor come loose from the base and had a 50/50 success rate reattaching them. 
nother observation is that they are somewhat noisy for the s
hort time they are active and don't contribute to the realism of the layout 
but it's easy to tell if they are working). 
Twin coils: The PNW staging yard was built with approximately 20 twin coil 
olenoid switch machines. I have not peeked under there to see which brand they 
re. A few have been replaced but most are still working after 20 years or so. 
This layout has been in existence for many years and all 3 of these switch 
achine types have served well. Given a choice I have gone with the Tortoise on 
y layout. 
Don Trettel 
oanoke native now living near Seattle. 


rom: nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org [ mailto:nw-modeling-list-bounces at nwhs.org 
 On Behalf Of NW Modeling List 
ent: Sunday, May 15, 2011 7:26 AM 
o: NW Modeling 
ubject: SWITCH MACHINES 

 sent out a note a while ago about anyone with positive experiences with switch 
achines (HO).? Don't recall if anyone wrote back but if you've had good luck 
nstallation, operation and mainteance wise would sure like some tips. 
 
hanks! 
Ed Svitil 
orfolk & Western Railway 
 
 


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