Automatic Switch?

Each switch manufacture has different arrangements.  Attached find the one for Ross switches.  Look closely at the bottom of the article, do NOT cut the track on the switch, go to the first section of track beyond the switch, isolate a 3" section.  That way you do not modify the switch itself.

http://www.z-stuff.net/instruc...02%20w-nonderail.pdf

bruce

If you are thinking of Lionel remote switch tracks, would an insulated rail work.  The insulated rail would be located after the switch, so when the train passes through the switch, it would throw the points.  Keep in mind that the insulated rail would need to be located far enough from the switch track as your longest train.  

In Lionel's instructions for creating non-derailing switches for those switch tracks that do not presently have the feature, an insulated rail is placed right next to the switch track.  So why couldn't that insulated track section be located anywhere on the layout ?

Thanks!  I am referring to Lionel's FastTrack.

Lionel Fastrack remote control track switches have non-derailing built in. You don't need to do anything. When approaching the switch in the trailing-point direction the points will automatically align correctly.

Lew

Are you wanting to change the switch after the train passes?  If so, that can be done with an insulated rail section, located at least one train length away from the switch, so you aren't throwing it under the train. It also needs to be off the non-derailing segment. I have done this before, it's a neat trick.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Are you wanting to change the switch after the train passes?  If so, that can be done with an insulated rail section, located at least one train length away from the switch, so you aren't throwing it under the train. It also needs to be off the non-derailing segment. I have done this before, it's a neat trick.

Elliot, You are one of the few who is paying attention.....LOL

Sorry Dan, I had to read that original post a few times to make sure I knew what he was trying to do. You had it totally right, but I didn't read your post carefully enough.

I used to take my portable layout to shows. One of my designs had a passing siding in the middle that was controlled by relays, and reverse loops on each end. It was all O gauge tubular track with modern 072 switches. The reverse loop switches had no controllers, and just used the non-derailing feature, which caused the trains to alternate directions going around the loops. It was the passing siding switches that required this trick, so they would always be realigned for the trains to pass after both trains departed.

I saw the word AFTER as well and wondered if it meant what was written. What is needed to autonomously do that is a trigger from a insulated rail after the switch where releasing the connection on the insulating rail will change the switch. I would do it with just a bit of logic. That way it would not matter how long the train is, it would switch after the insulated rail contact has been released. Might be a great accessory for signal stuff too where the train has passed and not have to guess at some arbitrary delay time, etc.

I'm having trouble getting my head wrapped around this one. How does the train go through it the first time if it is always thrown the other direction? If it is for a reversing loop, it isn't necessary for Fastrack, because both manual and remote switches will aline on their own.

Chuck, I think you're overthinking this. The insulated rail can directly do the throwing with proper placement. I suppose if space was an issue, your method would be the way to go, but most people who don't have a background in electronics would opt for the simple solution, if they could.

John, watch my short video. When the trains pass each other, they use the non-derailing feature to depart, and the near switch is set to curved. But when the train comes back from the reverse loop, the switch is set back to straight, and the train enters the other track to pass. The insulated section that controls this is located in the reverse loop at the far end. The other end of the siding is set up exactly opposite. This is always about "facing point" operations, and not "trailing point". The non-derailing feature only covers trailing point movements. This discussion is about realigning the points for a facing movement.

Thanks, Eliot.

Fun to watch video, thanks 

Thanks John and Chuck. I loved the portable layout, still have it, but it's mothballed. I did all kinds of neat automation tricks using time delayed relays and insulated sections. The crossing in the video was protected by a pair of relays. The passing siding was controlled by another pair. There was no set track plan with this setup. Each show was done custom to fit the space allotted.

This is what the overall layout looked like. The track plan was symmetrical and ran four trains.

Here's another video showing a little more of the other track's operation.

If you want to throw a switch after a train has completely passed, a very simple approach is a magnetic detector positioned track-side right after the switch and a small magnet mounted on the last car of the consist positioned so it activates the detector as the last car passes.

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

Sorry Dan, I had to read that original post a few times to make sure I knew what he was trying to do. You had it totally right, but I didn't read your post carefully enough.

I used to take my portable layout to shows. One of my designs had a passing siding in the middle that was controlled by relays, and reverse loops on each end. It was all O gauge tubular track with modern 072 switches. The reverse loop switches had no controllers, and just used the non-derailing feature, which caused the trains to alternate directions going around the loops. It was the passing siding switches that required this trick, so they would always be realigned for the trains to pass after both trains departed.

Elliot, no apology necessary.  

Lionel and MTH offer infra red detectors, disguised as track side electric boxes. These can trigger most anything, though crossing gates are the norm. (look at a crossing gate in a catalog for the detector part number, available seperatsep

SEPERSEPAR.  😟 I hate spellwreck and vindictive text! Google sucks so bad. 

S E P E R A T E L Y  (ha, take that! 😤)

I like the older versions of the pressure contactors better than the later ones. (contact point failure, weak leaves, and hanging up once pressed... I feel they "wear out" somewhat while early ones seem to go on forever.)

It is also possible to have another turnout's anti-derail trigger another turnout.

  They can be switched (toggle) to be the same, or opposite of each other. (the plan below was wired that way)  Trigger one and the other moves too. The "manual" route was for high foot traffic nights.

Lots of issues have surfaced with some new turnouts having burnt LED day 1 and points failing to close fully. If you are not invested yet, read up on track & turnouts here; then decide.  (led are considered lamps by our mfgs.  even though they are components to the rest of the world and not replaceable by a novice without soldering experience.. warranty and return would be contested from what I have read.

A few interesting solutions here, most requiring the introduction of some kind of hardware. Not to the point of being called Rube Goldberg, but some additional level of complexity, beyond what Dan and I have proposed with an insulated rail and a wire to the correct post on the switch.

This is a bit of an odd request by the OP, but it has a specific use, as I have demonstrated in my video.

Now I'm very curious as to what track plan the OP wants to use this on. Do tell!