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SHIPMENT FINALLY ARRIVED!

FM Former Member

 

HELLO,

 

My shipment finally arrived today from Public Delivery Track, my favorite vendor.  It includes 6 pieces (20 feet) of Atlas 2-rail Flex Track, an Atlas Santa Fe 40 ft. box car, and my first turnout, an Atlas left-hand #5 switch. 

 

So I'm getting my first turnout switch at 77 years of age...WOW!

 

The 20 feet of flex track is for the enlarged loop and for a siding I plan to install.

 

The Box car is for an extra Box car.

 

If the switch installation goes well, then I'll buy another one so my siding can return to the main line.

 

The switch didn't come with any detents to hold the points in the selected position, so I guess I'll have to order a ground throw, right?

 

Hey...I'll bet some of you guys have a dozen or more switches on your layouts, but this is a first for me!

 

BAD ORDER

 

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AGHRMattAGHRMattOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER
Excellent.
 
Now, you've had a whole hour. Where are the photos of the installed spur?
 
There are a couple of ways to go with throwing the switch. Caboose Industries ground throws are easy to work with. You drill a couple of 1/16 holes in the extended switch ties and use #18 wire nails to hold them to the sub-roadbed. I think Whistle Stop in Pasadena has them in O scale.
 
Another alternative is a bullfrog turnout throw which is basically a manual under-table machine actuated by a choke cable. You can get these from a couple of places.
 
Humpyard Purveyance (www.humpyard.com) sells a realistic looking switch lever used with choke cable actuators to throw turnout points.
 
Atlas also sells electric switch motors in both table-top and under-table. If you're going to use those, use the new #57 switch controller as the basic ones are subject to sticking which will burn out the motors.
 
A trick I used at the club for a spring switch was the spring from a ball-point pen with one end in the switch throw bar and the other end screwed to the bench work. Had it positioned so that it held the points in place, but the trains will push the points from the other direction. We use it on a reverse loop/secondary staging platform at the club.
Last edited by AGHRMatt
FM Former Member

 

HEY SAN PEDRO MATT,

 

I'll start on the switch when I finish re-tracking the loop I recently enlarged from 36" to 43" radius.  

 

I'll go with the top-mounted manual ground throws as being the simplest and most positive in action, but thanks for the other tips!

 

Did you ever visit the L.A. Harbor lighthouse?  Years ago we visited it and a Coast Guard man showed us all around.

 

BAD ORDER HAL  (I attended Dana Jr. High in 1948-49...it's now Dana Middle School)

Last edited by Former Member
HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Originally Posted by Bad Order Hal:

 

Sure, Hot Water, but the throwbar is a piece of plastic only 1/8" wide, so drilling a 1/16" hole would leave only 1/32" of "meat" on each side of the hole!

 

BAD ORDER

 

Hal, 

 

Do you have any numbered drill bits? That is the more appropriate way to drill the CORRECT size hole in the throw bar in order to accept the tip of the Caboose Industries ground throw. Take you digital calipers and measure that little tip in the Caboose Industries throw, then you should be able to figure out which number drill bit you need. Your nice lathe will not be able to help you in this project.

FM Former Member

 

 

YO HOT WATER,

 

Thank you ever so kindly, but I have 2 drill indexes: 

 

Fractional:  29 bits from 1/16" to 1/2" in 1/64" increments, with extra bits up to 3/4".

 

Numbered:  60 bits, numbered 1 through 60, but I'm missing several in the 50's sizes due to breakage when drilling pilot holes for track spikes into my hard OSB sub-roofing panels, and I can't find anyone who sells drills smaller than 1/16" (.0625")

 

Machinist's Dial Caliper, with .001" readout accuracy. 

 

I'm all set up for anything when it comes to making holes!  

 

BAD ORDER  (I ordered 2 Caboose Industries ground throws today)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last edited by Former Member
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