Large Scale Central

Spring switch

Anyone have pictures/diagrams/information on building a simple and reliable spring switch?

Try a Google search using site:largescalecentral.com "spring switch"

edit - WYSIWYG sure doesn’t work here!

Depends flop over or pass by?

(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2288/4uppers/Springswitch.jpg)

As set above it’s in the slide by position. The points return here.

With the left leg in the other hole it becomes the flop over change direction the other way switch…

And if you don’t have spring wire, you can use a clipped safety pin…

I only use these in yards where they are manually flopped over. Much easier than the Aristo machines. For main line use I had planned on dupilcating one I saw in ride-on scale that used threaded rod and with a spring over it connected to a gauge bar on the points and a fined point on a tie. Found this photo on the web…

I probably used the wrong terminology.

What I am looking to do is have a switch that a train can run thru, while the points are set the other way.

The train wheels push the points over and after the last cars have passed they return to original position.

Much like this, but something that is probably a little more reliable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHJBYoovloQ

to do that better than the video, you probably need electronics to flip the switch ahead of the train, and flip it back a few seconds after the last car passes.

Would probably take at least metal wheels on all cars.

Rick,

That is what both John and jon are showing you but theirs do dual duty. If you look close on John’s picture on the left side of the spring is two holes. Think of a balloon track. In one position the train will always enter the balloon the same way (the way the switch is set) and as it exits it pushes the points out of the way and spring pushes them back. That’s what they are calling a spring switch and is what is depicted in your video. Its one way deal. But you move it to the other hole and it becomes a flop switch. Same balloon track, as the train enters it goes the way the switch is set. as it exits it flops the switch to the other position, when the train comes back it will run through the balloon in the opposite direction. and flops it again when it exits. Each pass alternates which way the train goes through the switch.

Another added advantage to the John and Jon method is a harp switch stand can be attached and if the little knub that locks it is removed then the switch stand will operate with it both adding realism and also indicating which way the switch is aligned when in flop mode.

I had started on an experiment that I have since abandon that I want to revisit just to satisfy my curiosity as to if I can accomplish it. When I was going to do the indoor in G I wanted stub switches. Just because they were more prototypical on back woods budget railroads and because they are different. Well you can’t do the John and Jon method because there are no points the rail ends themselves move. the train coming back has nothing to push on to re align the switch. I had what was very close to being a working spring stub. By making a more complicated spring mechanism I was close to having the ability to have it as a working spring switch. I hadn’t gotten as far as tackling the flop option. I still want to make that work just because.

the answer is simple: use the manual switch levers from LGB. they spring back. the electric switch motors stay in the new position.

Im trying to follow you Korm. That sounds to me like a flop switch not a spring switch

That’s what we thought you meant. John’s “pass by” configuration does it as does the picture I added with an edit and you may have missed. I am just using the built-in spring feature of Aristo #6 manual machines on my wye. They have been out there a long time and are getting weak, so a replacement idea needs to be formulated.

Rick Marty said:

I probably used the wrong terminology.

What I am looking to do is have a switch that a train can run thru, while the points are set the other way.

The train wheels push the points over and after the last cars have passed they return to original position.

Much like this, but something that is probably a little more reliable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHJBYoovloQ

Thanks for that vid, I really needed a good chuckle!

Excuse me for not being more detailed.

To have a switch flop over - the points change position - the arc the the spring would trace is compressed and travels on a tangent (throw bar). As the points are moved by the wheels the spring is compressed, at the half way mark momentum takes the points over and the spring expands to hold the points.

To set up the above, the holes must be on the tangent of the track. I have used the center line or off set to one side with similar results. I move the points half way to mark.

To make the pass by switch just move one hole off the center line and it becomes biased. Which way determines the points position.

I use the lightest Spring steel I can get from the Model Airplane store, mine has it in 4’ lengths. Also weight the pony and pilot trucks for better tracking. A too stiff spring will derail your happiness and trains. Balancing throw and resistance for minimum force helps, the points just need to be snug, not locked down.

The rust marks the 2nd hole, used for the flop over, it’s set now for Pass-by.

(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2288/4uppers/Springswitch.jpg)

Thanks for the information guys, very helpful.

The #8 I plan on using has wooden ties so may have to use a brass bushing in the tie for wear protection.

Is there any issues with that snap spring poping out of theholes?

was my explanation a flop?

again:

LGB manual switch-lever - when a train cuts it open, it returns afterwards to the original position

LGB electric switch-motor - when a train cuts it open, it stays open.

Now I am following you Korm.

Korm Kormsen said:

was my explanation a flop?

again:

LGB manual switch-lever - when a train cuts it open, it returns afterwards to the original position

LGB electric switch-motor - when a train cuts it open, it stays open.

Not at all.

I just assume that LGB switch levers and switch motors are to be used on LGB switches, which I don’t use. They are the wrong code rail and way to tight

for my roads layout(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Rick, I don’t have any spring switches now, but I have had them in the past. The key for what you want to do is the hole placement in the ties. At least that’s what I found. And not too tight a spring if all you want is to have just the wheels pass through.

A slightly undersized hole that you have to force the end of the spring into will help to keep it from popping out. I’ve used both piano wire and safety pins. The piano wire was easier to use since it was not as heavy as the safety pin wire.

Just my 2 cents…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Rick Marty said:

Anyone have pictures/diagrams/information on building a simple and reliable spring switch?

Does this help?

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/spring-switch-2382559

Might be for a smaller scale but the concept is transferrable to G.

GAP said:

Rick Marty said:

Anyone have pictures/diagrams/information on building a simple and reliable spring switch?

Does this help?

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/spring-switch-2382559

Might be for a smaller scale but the concept is transferrable to G.

Thanks for posting that. I like this for my eventual On30 layout

GAP said:

Rick Marty said:

Anyone have pictures/diagrams/information on building a simple and reliable spring switch?

Does this help?

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/spring-switch-2382559

Might be for a smaller scale but the concept is transferrable to G.

Jim S has a couple of spring switches using that principle (a long springy wire held in the middle by a spike.) While the heavy steam engines generally get through, I’ve seen them derail rolling stock.

Pete Thornton said:

GAP said:

Rick Marty said:

Anyone have pictures/diagrams/information on building a simple and reliable spring switch?

Does this help?

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/spring-switch-2382559

Might be for a smaller scale but the concept is transferrable to G.

Jim S has a couple of spring switches using that principle (a long springy wire held in the middle by a spike.) While the heavy steam engines generally get through, I’ve seen them derail rolling stock.

Looks like a good method but I’m sure it would take some time to get the wire size and fulcrum location correct for good operation.