John, it’s genius in it’s simplicity.
I had the rubber switches but never had much luck with them. I finally switched to all ground throws. When my knees finally crap out I’m going to build my layout on raised benchwork. Or put it all in a pile and set it on fire, I haven’t decided yet.
Terry
I found a pic of the throws on my dad’s railroad:
John, the only issue with using V springs as a spring switch (as opposed to a rubber switch) is that the switch is always thrown one way. (It appears David’s spring switch works the same way.) You’d need another throw of some sort in the event you need to throw the switch points the other way. It’s common to find switches on passing sidings or reverse loops always thrown the same direction, especially in the model world where automation controls are being used.
I’m definitely with you on the war that rages between spring switches and pony trucks (aka pilot trucks). I’ve spent a lot of time on my locos making sure there is sufficient downward pressure on the pilot wheels so they can push the points over and not derail. Lead weights alone are seldom sufficient. I’ve still got one locomotive whose pilot wheel still insists on derailing about 25% of the time.
Later,
K
Kevin Strong said:
I’m definitely with you on the war that rages between spring switches and pony trucks (aka pilot trucks). I’ve spent a lot of time on my locos making sure there is sufficient downward pressure on the pilot wheels so they can push the points over and not derail. Lead weights alone are seldom sufficient. I’ve still got one locomotive whose pilot wheel still insists on derailing about 25% of the time.
Kevin, How does Accu. live steam #12 do with respect to it’s lead on sprung points? I ask because I’d like to run them at each end of the layout I’m building right now. Well, maybe flop style any way.
FWIW;
Nothing like a dream to make one wonder… I took my pin vise and a drill bit out to my tracks. All my spring switches (100%) were made for choice, In Kevin’s Rubber def; they do flop over and I can set them to either side.
Today I drilled a hole 1/4" off center in the throw bar, opened the spring slightly and Whoopie! just as I stated it’s now a one way slide by, without a manual throw to over ride the setting it’s either set as a diverge or set for straight when approached from the single track side.
I took my camera, but stills wouldn’t show the snap back action.
John
Yes, pony trucks can be an issue. On my Bachmann 2-4-2, I had to shim the post the pony truck swivels on. One wheel would ride up and derail, but the other wheel stayed on the rail. So by shimming the post with some shrink tubing, the pony truck cannot twist. If a wheel is going to lift, they both have to lift, and they don’t want to do that. That solved the derail problem on the Bachmann. My other locomotives haven’t had an issue, because the spring pressure is so light, they can push the points over. And that is part of the trick with making a spring switch. There has to be just enough spring to lay the point against the stock rail, but not so much that wheels ride up over the point instead of pushing it over.
My LGB Chloe, with her 3 little open air passenger cars, can go through my spring switches all day without derailing, because the spring pressure is so light. I just have to make sure she is going fast enough, that she can slide across the plastic frog on the Aristo switches. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
Good stuff guys thanks. Ill have to experiment and see what works best. I like to give Johns a try and maybe Kevins as well. Here is my temporary fix for now. I need a softer spring because lighter cars cant push the switch open. I ran out of time today playing with the stupid aristo ones
Gee, thats an interesting solution. I wonder though, are those steel springs? Will they rust away?
I know you said its temporary, but round these parts, temporary solutions tend to become permanent solutions.
