slipswitch switches

[martinvk]

I was getting tired of my trains clipping or even driving over the trackside controls of my yard switches. This was especially a problem with double slip switches which don't leave a lot of room for the switch stands.

Here you can see a typical example. The yellow mainline switches are just examples, any other switch with a trackside control would have the same problem. In the foreground you can see one solution I came up with. This is my interpretation of a remote control between the rails switch motor. The white arrow on the blue circle is just for me to have a visual indication of the switch direction that is currently set.

Does something like this really exist? I suppose that a switch stand further away would also work but I would need to make many versions at various distances since I don't think that the offset distance can be changed in game on an individual basis.

 

[Zwabberaar]

The only thing I can think at the moment is the "junction kit" by Andi06. Otherwise I don't think there is any decent solution for this problem. ( invisible levers? )

 

[martinvk]

.... ( invisible levers? )

Well that won't do because I expect the yard people to easily find the switches to complete maneuvers through the yards.

Here is another view (from the other side) with all the switches replaced.

 

[Tokkyu40]

I think they look great. Even if they aren't prototypical, they look useful.

Claude

 

[Dermmy]

They look good Martin and certainly solve the 'no-space-for-a-lever' problem. Any switch lever based on an electric lever will work - I usually use 'UK Point Motor' Kuid:67906:24166 for the same purpose. Pretty sure it's built-in content...

Andy

 

[martinvk]

Had a look at that UK point motor. Yes it's built-in and doesn't have a vertical mechanism to get hit by passing trains but it still has several pieces outside the rails. In crowded areas, even that is too much.

So I will be offering these three versions of my between the rails switches. On the left, with a visual indicator of the switch direction directly on the housing. It flips to the opposite side so even if you're too far away to see the direction of the arrow, you can tell which way the switch is set. The middle switch has no visual indicator. The right one has a small moving paddle that flips from one side to the other as the switch is changed. It is pretty small so it shouldn't foul any passing train.

As usual, they were built to solve a problem I have on my map. You will be free to use them as-is in yours.

 

[martinvk]

A few more images before uploading:

While I was making these, I thought it would also be nice to have moving blades. This is the result. First straight through,

and then diverging right.

The visual effect is subtle and the change from one position to the other is instant without any intermediary positions and because of the way the rails join, there is no gap at the frog.

 

[ish6]

I got all of your stuff!!

This one is cool as well!!!:wave:

Ish