Here is a quick picture of the Ross 72 switch for those who have not seen one. They use the LGB switch machine. It is about the same hieght as the rail which is great as it does not get in the way, no matter what you run.
Owen, will I see you at Ringgold?
ARNO
Looking at the plastic piece where the 2 diverging inside rails meet there is a lever that goes back and forth as the switch is opened and closed. This insures a solid rail and avoids a lot of clunking of wheels.
There is no electric derailing feature and one would be difficult to add. However, A train would push itself through and throw the switch manually. On a reverse loop the train would go through the opposite way the 2nd time through.
They are not as pretty as the originals or MTH switches. The 72 switches have the same footprint as a MTH 72 switch. If the switch was removed a stock 72 curve could be substituted to make the diverging route or a stock straight used to make the through route. A nice feature if you are moving things around.
I was able to make an automatic switch with the Ross switches. It wasn't a non-derailing type feature, but it served the same purpose and could easily be adapted as such. It would all depend on where the insulated sections of track were located. I used my switch to operate between 2 loops of track. First time around it would transverse one loop and the 2nd time around it would go thru the other loop. Pretty basic idea but made a great operating feature on a smaller layout. The 2nd switch in the scenario was not powered and the train just moved the switch rails. The circuitry is pretty basic as well. A couple relays, a couple insulated track sections and some DC power....oh, and a train of course!
I'll try to add a video of the layout running. The green Southern diesels going over the 90 degree crossing are the loops with the switch. The switch is located on the other side of the "tunnel".
ARNO
Insulated rail1 opens switch A. Insulated rail 2 closes switch A. Making the automatic sequence.
What happens if a set of wheels are parked on one of the insulated tracks? It looks like the DC motor will remain powered and run the risk of burning out. I believe there is insurance for this involving capacitors added to the relays.
Ross needs to make a 90 degree and 45 degree crossing. They need to stop labeling these switches O-72. They are STD-72.
Ross needs to make a 90 degree and 45 degree crossing. They need to stop labeling these switches O-72. They are STD-72.
Good point Jim. I guess the easy answer is I would never park the train on the insulated tracks. My insulated track sections were just 3-4" long and obviously would trigger the switch every time a wheel set crossed it, but I was only running about 9VDC to the switch motor and it was never a problem of heating up. I could run it for hours of trouble free operation (and I did).
I second the fact that someone needs to make a better 90 and 45 degree crossing.
ARNO
Jim and William are being the voices of moderation here and I admit they have a point. It is good to know what is possible in your space, but that doesn't mean you have to do all of it - at least not right out of the gate. It is certainly an option to build it simply at first, then add features if and when you find that you need/want them.
I can also say that I do not very often use some of the switches and route crossovers that I built into my layout. However, the one feature I would use if I had it is a simple reversing loop on my outside main line, which I don't have. I can reverse, but it is quite convoluted, involving several switches and interferes with other trains - so I don't often use it. That's probably why I like Arno's double reversing loop around the airport. But again, if you provide for it in the plan, so that you can slip the extra switches in at a later date without ripping up too much, it doesn't all need to be built right away, and that might be the preferable way to do it.
Taking some of the advice about using switches in moderation, and I've downsized the layout area a bit (partially due to economic constraints), I've come up with another redesign. I've lost the ability to turn the trains in this design, but I believe I could always add a couple of switches or so in the future to do that.
I like that. That is going to be fun to run. Switches and turning trains may be overrated. You have three loops, you will have three trains going different directions. And your two yard tracks allow you to bring a different train into play. Better to have the ability to switch the trains you are running than direction. My last layout had one reverse loop. I never thought it was a bad thing to back a train through to reverse direction. It's a railroad. You do what you gotta do.
Will you be running from the center and choosing a duck under? Or running from the perimeter and the center will be a hatch?
I learned long ago that turning with an 0-5-0 was far more effective and economical than the ground-eating 072 wye or reversing loops.
Well, I finally got off my butt, got the remaining pieces I needed, and finished assembling the MIANNE benchwork I had ordered for my layout. I have 90% of the plywood top cut and ready to install too, but with warm weather here, it will probably be a slow go.
Itching to actually run some trains!
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