Has anyone used a single Tortoise switch machine to throw all 4 of the throwbars in a double crossover and if you do, what does your mechanism/springs/etc. look like?
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THAT I would like to see. Keeping the assembly from racking as it moves and with minimal friction might be the biggest challenge. Probably need to use RC aircraft control wires and bushings. Buying an extra 3 Tortoises might be cheaper.
NO… Next question.
I haven't but how could you do it? Don't you need 3 positions?
I'll have to run down to the basement and take a look tonight.
oh wow. no.
I have a couple of Ross double crossovers, but I have 4 tortoise motors on each.
I can only imagine the linkages required to move them all with a single motor and Scouting Dad has a good point about keeping it all jam-free, especially if one of the 4 turnouts decides to stick.
Definitely would like to see this setup if someone's done it successfully!
@BillYo414 posted:I haven't but how could you do it? Don't you need 3 positions?
I'll have to run down to the basement and take a look tonight.
Nope, just two positions: crossover set for straight runs or crossover set for move to opposite track (all 4 switches thrown).
I had mine set to throw with 2 switch operators. A single push of the DZ2500 operator would generally move a paired set of points. I often had partial movement of one of the points leading to derailments.
I could see connecting a u-shaped wire to the "upper and lower" points of the crossover and then use a tortoise to move those. I suppose doing that to both sides and then connecting them together would be an approach. One would still have to address the racking issue as it is likely the force to move the left and right sides would be different. At that point it might be better to have a rigid I-beam driven by a micromotor.
Back to the opinion 4 switch motors would be more reliable and cheaper.
