Hi,

I am looking at the best option for point motors i have looked a various solenoid based switches such as the Seep PM1 and have seen various solutions with using RC servos.

I have found that the solenoid base motors need to be mounted beneath the point and as I am using N gauge they will no fit in some areas.

What are your suggestions ideas?

Cheers,


N Gauge Layout And Modeling

Use a 'wire-in-tube' mechanical link , and mount the point motors almost where ever you want- certainly somewhere more convenient. Doesn't matter if its servo or solenoid, the same idea is used . Solenoid can be a bit power hungry, and 'bang' the points over with a bit too much ferocity for my mechanical mind, a servo is more realistic , and doesn't disintegrate the point with its stored energy.

Just one thought, why has your post appeared in just about every other forum? Often with just a 1 or 2 post history.

Hi Diablo,
Thank you for your reply. I am completely new to model railwaying to be honest I have been mainly building Military Models but have always wanted to get into building model railways. I have now got a free room an have started planning my first layout but there is a whole lot of options out there I have found from my modeling that when i get stuck its best to post on range of forums and get good general consensus from as many people as possible.
Regards,

I've used solenoid motors in the past, but I think that, by far the better option is slow motion motors.  There are two main brands - Tortoise and Cobalt.  Cobalts are a better choice, but slight more than expensive, than Tortoise.  I have no experience with RC servos.

Our club layout uses SEEPs and Tortoise/Cobalt.  I think we regret now using SEEPs and much prefer the latter.  DCC Accessory decoders can be fitted to both types.  With these you can actuate the motor from your throttle and/or mount push switches in a panel or on the fascia near the point.

There are also lever switches out there with a polarity switch for the frogs:  http://www.cabooseind.com/GroundThrows  I would be a bit concerned about durability.

and this:  http://www.micromark.com/blue-point-switch-machine-turnout-controller-10-pack,8537.html  I haven't used this so can't comment on it's use.

Took me a while to find again but this quite caught my eye a while ago:  http://www.humpyard.com/

To my mind there two kinds of point operation:

a:  control on a main line from a signal box.  In this mode, remote operation from a central location is ideal.  If the layout is on the large side, electrical motors are probably best.

b:  point actuation in a yard.  This would, in life, be done by the train guard or yard staff.  In this mode, manual actuation would be approriate. 

John