Independently powered switches? Are they beneficial and do most people use this method?

Depends on what type of switch you are talking about. If you are talking about Lionel classic 022 and 072 switches, that was the whole purpose of the fixed voltage plug. Supplying power through it, means that your lanterns stay lit, and you can throw them with no power on the rails. A real advantage over the 027 switches that didn't have this feature.

Depending on your transformer, you may or may not want to use a separate one to do this function. On a ZW, you would typically assign the switches to the inner B or C handles. Many of the smaller postwar transformers have special posts on the back to provide different fixed voltages. Something in the 14 to 16  volt range should do the job.

I run mostly with DCS but sometimes with Conventional. I operate all track switches with accessory power so that when running Conventional switches can be thrown without regard for whether track power is on or not. Minimal wiring is required and because I use Fastrack it can be very light gauge because Fastrack switch motors draw just a few milliamps to operate.

Lew

Not sure if we have enough information.  Is this just one loop and one train being run?  How many switches?  The reason I ask is that the answer depends.  Having 2 or 3 switchesand controling one train you will be fine.  Do you have power blocks with toggle switches to not control train if you want to throw a switch? 

All the above is true plus, with your seperate power all you swich controller lights on your control panel will stay lit so you know if you have an issue with your planed route. Also, the switches will function better with proper power.  

Just curious - what is the advantage to having your switch lanterns being lit and being able to throw your switches without track power being on, either conventionally or command ?

Richie C. posted:

Just curious - what is the advantage to having your switch lanterns being lit and being able to throw your switches without track power being on, either conventionally or command ?

Having switch lanterns constantly lit is prototypical.

Especially when performing switching moves it is useful to not have to have a train in motion (or alternately to not have to cycle the E unit into neutral).

With command control the question is moot because track power is always on and so, therefore, is track switch power.

Lew

I would assume the OP was asking about Lionel traditional switches (I don't know anything about fast track switches) where the switches run off track power unless you specifically wire them not to. If you are running conventional, the advantage is that if you run the switches off of track power and you have the trains running slowly, the switches don't change route all that quickly, as opposed to 16 volts let's say (if you were operating in command mode, of course, wouldn't matter). 

Ross Switches, Atlas Switches, Gargraves switches, MTH switches all have a separate wired switch machine that use fixed power (you could wire them to run off the track, but wouldn't make sense). 

Richie C. posted:

Just curious - what is the advantage to having your switch lanterns being lit and being able to throw your switches without track power being on, either conventionally or command ?

It's nice not drawing from track power, especially in conventional. I used to use 027 stye track and switches on my portable layout, but sold all that off and switched to O gauge for this and other reasons.

If you were doing switching in conventional you could just put the train in neutral and throw your switches. Switching in conventional is a pain in general.

The fixed voltage concept predates command control in 3 rail O by close to 50 years. It doesn't matter as much with command, though if you are still using incandescent bulbs, you do run the risk of melting the lanterns at full voltage. LED's will fix that.

Maybe the best reason to power from a fixed source is the non derailing feature won't work if the voltage is too low. It also looks silly having the lights go up and down as you move the throttle.

On any large layout it is smart to use a separate power source for accessories and switches.

Mikey

I like being able to adjust the voltage to give me the best operation for my switches. Too low, and the switch may not throw all the way. Too high and it might bounce. After settling on a voltage, I used the programmed accessory voltage on my CW80 transformer. It takes very little power (~100mA) to move a switch. And you're only consuming power while you're moving the switch. I have seen folks use one throttle on a Z4000 for their switches. Massive overkill.

Similar to Elliot,  I transitioned from O27 track and switches to O track and switches (022 switches) about 25 years ago. I am very glad I did.

My 9 O22 switches with fixed voltage plugs and non-derailing feature all work great. A ZW transformer is dedicated only to power the switches. I keep the power at 16 to 17 volts. The non-derailing feature is very important because I have 4 reverse loops (one on each end of the 2 main lines). An MTH Z 4000 transformer provides power to the independently powered 2 main lines. The 8 independently powered sidings and numerous accessories are powered by another ZW transformer. So I think I have an abundance of power.

Although not realistic looking, I like the look of my 022s a lot. I have them set up so the green light means the train will take the straight track, and the red light means the train will take the curved track.

I use conventional incandescent switch bulbs, not LEDs. There is less melting of the switch lanterns using 18 volt bulbs instead of 14 volt bulbs. Arnold 

Richie C. posted:

Just curious - what is the advantage to having your switch lanterns being lit and being able to throw your switches without track power being on, either conventionally or command ?

AN answer I have not seen given is in command mode  I sometimes do not have power on to a loop or section yet I may hit the route feature which would throw any powered switch in the route. Easier to find a section or loop with no power as train stops vs a train derailing possibly due to a switch not thrown because lack of power.

Curtis

My track is composed of Lionel Fastrack and I plan to use numerous power blocks.  I will have 2 main loops and my layout is pretty large: L shape 20 x 8 and 24 x 8.  In my previous layout (24 x 8) it was all powered with a Z4000 transformer and no power blocks which led to issues with DCS signal and engine reception I believe.  The only thing I don't get about powering the Lionel Fastrack switch independently is if the switch is low powered then wouldn't the engine slow or stop going over the switch rather than being between the required 18-19 volts (I believe volts right lol) for fixed power

You are only powering the switch machine and switch lantern independently. Track power is fed from the adjacent center-rails to the track switch center rails via the connecting pins. I also use a track power drop to the "track jumper" (feeds the center rail) and the "aux gnd" (feeds the outer rails) terminals on the underside of the switch:

Lew

A big regret was choosing 5121 and 5122 switches for my layout. They work ok with postwar locos but newer engines don't  need so much voltage to move and cause me fits with the switches. 

Next layout will be Ross most likely so all new turnouts will be on aux power.