Bachmann manual turnout switch stand issues

[RGSNH (Al Pomeroy)]

Hello all,

My friend Stan has been having breakage issues with the Zamac parts in these switch stands. Currently Bachmann doesn’t have repair parts so i developed a replacement one piece 3d printed part printed in my tough 2000 resin and we are just staring testing, but looks good at this point. I also added an intermediate throw distance of .31 inch. the existing is .38 and .25 inch.

If you are having similar issues and would like to test these out, please send me a PM. I cannot guarantee long term success but initial results are positive at this point. these do not have the target mounting feature at the moment but can be added. most folks have found them difficult to maintain.

Al P.

[Stan_Ames (Stanley Ames)]

Just a clarification.

Years ago I helped Bachmann develop this product and pre production they did a mold test and sent me some parts to use on our railroad. When we installed the throw arms we stressed the parts as the arms were real hard to install. During production they clean out these holes which enlarges them slightly which avoids the issues we were having. Most of the origional units Bachmann sent me had parts that have failed over the years due to a number of issues that Bachmall has improved upon during production.

Since these parts are not currently stocked, Al has been kind enough make some 3D versions. The initial tests are positive.

One note, when a small stone gets between the point and the rail and you exert force to make the throw something is going to fail. We are also strengthing the throwbars which increases the overal strength needed before brakage occurs. Hopefuly the inreased strength will enable the operator to know there is a problem before they exert sufficient force to break one of the parts.

Stan

[PeterT]

@Stan_Ames

something is going to fail

Using a proper Omega loop would ensure the blades are sprung against the running rails, and would reduce the chance of failure if something gets in the gap.

[Cliff_Jennings]

Great work, Al. And nice idea on the intermediate throw. Mine have only the one throw distance; not sure what it is, but I need more to work with the cable-linkage I’m messing with. That looks like the solution.

[RRRR4 (Lou Luczu)]

The problem I have is I kick the switchstand and break off the red-green markers!
Ya can’t fix stupid!

[JRad (Jon Radder)]

@RGSNH

these do not have the target mounting feature at the moment but can be added. most folks have found them difficult to maintain.

Even indoors on a bench, I snapped the targets off all the time. Outoors I didn’t bother.

If I ever get a modeling shop set up again I’d like to fabricate some New Haven style pointer targets - Or the EBT target I have in my back yard. There are very few of them left. Most regularly used switches have been upgraded to more modern low stands with no target.

[Rooster]

Targets and leafblowers along with PA early spring winds don’t go hand in hand anyway. Besides history shows that operators blow the signals anyway.

[RGSNH (Al Pomeroy)]

Jon,

Full scale NH target

I can make a suitable model.

Al P.

[Cliff_Jennings]

Me too. I don’t even notice when I bust em off, until I see little red and green things during spring weeding.

While he’s at it, maybe Al should invent a flexible post for the target…

[RGSNH (Al Pomeroy)]

Cliff,

In the tough 2000 resin anything is possible, currently printing a highly detailed EBT water column in Ho scale for a customer. second try after making a couple of adjustments.

1:20 models to come.

Al P.

[JRad (Jon Radder)]

@RGSNH

currently printing a highly detailed EBT water column

And I can certify that his dimensions came straight from the prototype!