Air operated switches

I've seen it done on HO layouts, and it was quite impressive. Smooth and quiet.

I had a bunch of air actuators I experimented with, they worked well, but are very expensive and lots of work to pipe and set up. not worth the effort as there are very reliable electric units out there.

On OGR's Great Layout Adventures video, volume 6, there is a gentleman from Cincinnati, Gayle Rotsching, who powers all his switches and his signals using air.  You would have to watch the video for the full explanation on how he did the signals but, suffice to say it was a VERY creative idea and both the switches and the signals appear to work flawlessly.

Curt

I bought some for my outside G scale layout. I have heard good things about them holding up outside. Most electronic ones can't survive outside well. I still haven't hooked them up. I'm still building the layout.

I thought they were no longer available.  The one dude I knew went out of business.  He was discussed in another recent thread.

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Dennis

I have no G scale, but have read about them using the pneumatic switches. Sounds very interesting to me.

I use them and really like them. They are mounted under the table so you cannot see the machines-- not hard at all to set up. Air compressor or tank, air tubing and you're set.

I had them on my layout for over 20 years, and never had a problem with them. Easy to install and operate. We had an outlet right down from where I worked and could order the tubing and all the fittings from them. They were quick ad held the points tight. You could also get a needle valve to install that would slow the process down to long prototypical.

 

If building again, I would be in the market for them.

Gene

For all that use these, what do you use for an air compressor? Do they have really small ones for just this purpose?

Does anyone have any video of these working and some info on what cylinders they use? Im thinking about maybe going this route on my layout once I get time to start building eh

A friend from many years ago when I lived in western new York had bought that system and I believe it was called Del aire products and it did work very well. My friend use a tank that he would fill, at the time at a gas station. The air in the tank seemed to last a long time...............Paul

I use an air tank that you can fill with your compressor.  It stays full literally forever.i love these air switch machines, they work flawlessly and are just awesome. Not much to it honestly but the results are incredibly perfect. Highly recommend these. 

 

The under-table part is the best.  Out of sight, yet working flawlessly.  

I have friends who use them on their garden railroad.  They are very reliable.  Air switches also save a lot of complicated wiring work.  You can run a buss air line around the layout and use it to power all the switches.

 

I would like to know if anyone has a source for air switch machines. Del-Aire, the primary supplier, went out of business and its successor, CA Air (I have forgotten the full name) also went out of business.  

 

The only source that I know of for air switch machines is the used market.  My club garden railroad is looking for some.  

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any video of them in action and some pics of your setup?

Thanks

Chad I have over 75 switches hooked up with dell air machines they work well, it is a lot faster than wiring with electric switches but good luck in finding them they went out of business years ago, ever time they are for sale they go fast ,when I found they were going out of business bough all I could find .

 

Guy 

I think I found some air cylinders that might work and just build my own eh.

Do you know what the specs of the cylinders might be?  I think they are single acting with spring return with about 1" stroke right

Air cylinders somthing like these I think will work maybe a little shorter eh 

I use Del Aire air operated switch motors and have done so for many years.

When I heard Del Aire was going to close I found a dealer in Forest Hill, MD who had some kits still in stock.  He might still have some in stock....

 

Forest Hill Station

Forest Hill, MD  Phone 410-893-1089

This shop is listed in the Dealer Roundhouse section of the O Gauge Rail-Roading

Magazine....

you would need a double acting cylinder that you would have to leave pressurised to hold the points in position. the cylinders alone without fittings, lines, valves or the brackets to make them work like switch motors would be close to $20 each, by the time you are done each motor would be close to $50.  unless you have a need to use air, I don't think it is worth the trouble.

Will they, or, can they, be set up to work automatically?  Or, must they be operated manually?  

I know a fellow who had air operated switches on his layout, never saw them work but he told me they worked well. I suspect they were there a long time.

 

Bob;

You can buy Air Valve/Solenoids, so they could be electrically controlled remotely or locally with a manual valve.

 

JohnS;

You can get Single acting spring loaded off solenoids for $10 to $12. These would work fine with manual valving or solenoids. See chester7's link above.

Add tubing, a small compressor and a tank and you are done.The tricky part will be making them non derailing.

 

Chester7:

Those look fine, if a bit longer throw than needed. Use mechanical advantage to change that to pressure on the rail and you are good to go. Have fun working out an anti derail function 

Pneumatic toggle switches are also available if you don't want to use any electricity, such as in for use all outdoors or for whatever reason.

What is meant by non derailing?