Fast Tracks

I have noticed that modelers that use Tortoise switch motors usually drill a large hole between the rails for the switch actuating wire to fit through and operate the switch. Even the instructions for the Fast Track templates mention it. Over the years, I have revised a linkage that works flawlessly and only uses a small hole next to the throwbar. It is infinitely adjustable and will even provide a method of sending switch position feedback for hand-thrown switches. It uses a short piece of brass tubing as a bearing and a piece of square brass rod as the fulcrum. I bend one end of the rod 90 degrees under the benchwork and in line with the tortoise motor's moving part. I drill a small hole perpendicular to the rod that goes through the benchwork and place a piece of piano wire through the hole bent at 90 degrees. I take the other end of the wire and bend it to fit into the hole in the Tortoise motor and then screw the screw into the large hole in the tortoise motor. I also drill two holes in the end that protrudes through the top of the benchwork that will accept a second piece of piano wire. Bend one end of the piano wire 90 degrees. I use the hole that is 90 degrees from the throwbar and slip the piano wire through the hole and solder it in place. The motor will move the rod and in turn, the switch will throw. It provides excellent pressure on the points and the rod under the layout can actuate a micro-switch to provide frog power or position feedback to a signaling system.

Any questions, contact me,
Nick Kulp

Thanks for providing an additional method for this sometimes difficult installation. I have to honest, I'm not quite following your written description. Any chance of a photo or a sketch?

thanks,
S

I have an old (1990's) article from RMC by Dick McEvoy that I posted on the Opsig group on yahoo (with permission). I took him linkage and modified it. I would be happy to send it to you. Send a request to cornwall9@yahoo.com and I will send it to you. It is a very simple gizmo. A simple piece of square brass rod bent to 90 degrees with small holes drilled for the piano wires that attach to the tortoise under the table and the tie bar on top. I even use it for manual switches to trip an micro switch for point power. The fulcrum from the rod provides enough force to trip the micro switch. I actually use the micro switch to trigger a 4PDT relay for point power, switch position feedback, and signaling info for the dispatcher.

Contact me,
Nick Kulp

I attempted to attach the article but it is an .rtf extension. That extension is not allowed on this forum.

Apologies,
Nick

Hello Nick,

I added RTF to the allowed list, so you should be able to post your document now.

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Cheers!

Ron Warris
Fast Tracks

As promised, here is the linkage article. Any uestions, please contact me.

Regards,
Nick Kulp

I know this is a small carp but the figure (figure 5) on page 3 (well, really page 71 in RMC) is missing. Here it is.

Tom
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Thanks for replacing that image. It is kind of important.

Regards,
Nick

I have added Figure 5 to page 3 and attached it to my reply.
Hope it works.

Rob Morrison

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Rob