I was skimming through some old O-Gauge magazines and ran across an ad for Del-Air Products who used to sell a layout switching operating system that was run on air. Below is an an ad they used to run.
My question is what became of them and why do you suspect this innovative switch operating system never caught on?
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They used to have a display at the Springfield MA show. I was impressed with how well they worked. Especially with the a regulator in the air supply. They rivaled a Tortoise. Certainly looked better sitting above the layout than anything electric. A friend used them on his layout. Worked well and were reliable.
I’m guessing a few reasons they didn’t catch on. You couldn’t regulate the polarity to the rails on longer switches or do power routing in the smaller scales. Plus they looked like they belonged sitting on Ross or Curtis ties. They may not have looked as good in the smaller scales. I’m guessing the idea of having a compressor or tank in the basement may have hindered them.
I believe they still have a presence in G scale under a different name. In the warmer climates. I guess you can easily run the tubing underground.
Pneumatic HVAC controls have been around forever. Very reliable and steady operation. Yes you need a compressor , albeit a small one to run the switch motors but I'm guessing that electric power beat them out.
Honeywell was the leader in pneumatic controls for years.
Sunset Valley Products still makes a version of the pneumatic switch machines.
My guess on their demise, in part spite of apparently good technology, the case that a compressor and tubing were things modelers could not do without was not effectively made. Those little compressors are noisy too!
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