Points/switches (levers) for use in a station setting...

[Robertd81]

Hi there, I've reached a point in building a pre-1960's terminus station where I need to add/fine tune the details to make it look just right. The set up is essentially a two track terminus, with a narrow centre platform (the idea being that this would be for staff/engineer access to the trainz).

Being a terminus, I've added in a simple x crossover to allow engines to run-around when necessary - however, I'm having a hard time finding a manual switch/junction lever that would look okay on a half meter height platform, or that is close enough to the track so as to not stick up oddly through said platform.

Any ideas? I've tried searching the DLS and Google for terms such as lever, switch, platform, station, height, high, manual, throwover, junction, old fashioned &c (in three languages (English, French & German)) and can't find anything as of yet.

I'm not asking for other people to do the trawling here (I'm enjoying that part in a way), but wouldn't mind knowing how other people handle in-station junctions/switches and what they've used.

Peace,
Robertd81

 

[mezzoprezzo]

Hi Robertd81.

Did they have electrically driven points in the era that you are modelling? if so you could perhaps use one of those which would partly sit under the platform. Not a great look perhaps, but at least the lever won't poke up through the platform surface.

If you want to use a lever, to prevent it from piercing the platform why not use the Rotate Object button in Trackside Mode which will flip it to the other side of the track.

Cheers
Casper

 

[ray_whiley]

A good solution might be to use a point motor rather than a lever, and this would be more prototypical in a station. Levers were of course manually operated in goods yards and other sidings. Invisible point motors are also available, if this would help.

Ray

 

[Petan]

Maybe power operated points such as electro-pneumatic?

Central Station, Brisbane Australia, had a 36-lever "B" battern electro-pneumatic frame, built by McKenzie & Holland. This frame was of just 24 levers when opened in 1904, but was enlarged to 36 in July 1917.
http://www.signalbox.org/overseas/australia/brisbanecentral.htm

from http://www.signalbox.org/index.php

 

[Robertd81]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I think you're right about having to go down the electric/electro-pneumatic route on this one.

The idea was that this would be a fairly run-down Caribbean island, with limited investment in infrastructure and a crumbling (but still elegant) rail network somewhere around the mid 50's to mid 60's; I think their guv'nor/el presidente is going to have to invest in some electrical systems on the railways!

Cheers once again, appreciate the thoughts.
Peace,
Robertd81

P.S. Here're a few shots of the station (please note, this end of the route has only just been started):
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/nordmanni/Station1/Station3.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/nordmanni/Station1/Station2.jpg
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/ww146/nordmanni/Station1/Station1.jpg

 

[Petan]

Hi Robert,
Maybe determine in your own mind which colonial power had this Caribbean island as that will determine the buildings' style.

The electro-pneumatic points etc installed in the colonial era probably had different electric voltage to the present day which means you are thus not restricted to the style of the early day. Maybe some railway electrical manager in the 1950s got a good purchase deal on gear that closely matches the stuff on the trainz download facility??? :hehe: :hehe:

I have discovered that in some places the electrical systems in the early days depended on who supplied the power eg the local sawmill, dairy factory or the railways themselves. In a couple of places I discovered the railways or city tramways had their own power stations and ran voltages to suit themselves.

Cheers
Peter

 

[JCitron]

Hi Robert,
Maybe determine in your own mind which colonial power had this Caribbean island as that will determine the buildings' style.

The electro-pneumatic points etc installed in the colonial era probably had different electric voltage to the present day which means you are thus not restricted to the style of the early day. Maybe some railway electrical manager in the 1950s got a good purchase deal on gear that closely matches the stuff on the trainz download facility??? :hehe: :hehe:

I have discovered that in some places the electrical systems in the early days depended on who supplied the power eg the local sawmill, dairy factory or the railways themselves. In a couple of places I discovered the railways or city tramways had their own power stations and ran voltages to suit themselves.

Cheers
Peter

It could be too that the rail company, or colonial power, decided to spend some money on updating things such as the rail infrastructure, so they supplied some newer switch motors and modern signals. Then maybe ran out of money so that's why there are only a few modern signals, and new switch motors around the terminal, but nowhere else.

John

 

[sniper297]

CNR Switchstand Main 1 and 2 would stick up high enough to appear to be based on the platform, and provide visual indication of which way the switches are set.

 

[Robertd81]

Hello again,

I went with a combination of new and old in the end for the points system at the station - electric points motors wired up, with the addition of one of Natvander's lever frames to complete the 'old' look on the platform itself. I'll post up a screenshot later today, but did want to say thanks for the ideas.

Peace,
Robertd81

 

[Mick_Berg]

There's a real -life instance of this, ie the Finsbury Park to Alexandra Palace branch line that I have spent my entire Trainz career re-creating.

It was planned to incorporate it into the London Underground system, and quite a lot of work was done, but then the plan was abandoned due to the onset of WW2.

The result is a confusing mish-mash of different platform heights, line-side cabling, colour and semaphore signals, etc. There are even power substation buildings, which never had any equipment installed.

The only time the line ever saw tube trains was when it was used to move LU stock around, using battery locos. Hence the inspiration for my battery loco model.

The line closed in 1954 and has now almost returned to nature, but there is plenty of documentation, easy to find via Google.

What made me think of this was that the crossover at the terminus was controlled by a small free-standing lever frame out in the open. It looked rather strange.

Mick Berg.