Switch Machines or Hand Levers

[dricketts]

Is there a standard for what side of the turnout you will find the lever or machine?

 

[whitepass]

No, it depends on it's location to other track and or objects in the way.

 

[jadebullet]

It also depends on the road and the time period. I know that on the Reading's Shamokin division, they had towers at almost all of the mainline sidings. The tower would be in charge of switching the turnouts.

Yards on the other hand tended to be manual.

 

[magickmaker]

Sometimes it's a question of clearance too. I've found that depending on the types of cars serviced at a location, depends on where I orient my machines. (Real RR's seem to follow this pattern also.) If the cars are very long and swing out over the rails, then it's better to place the machine away from the direction the cars swing (inside of the curve). If they don't swing out, then it's better to place them on the inside of the curve.

 

[dougtrain]

Where to put it.

Hi all - In Britain it is a general rule to try to put point motors "on the walk". This term refers to the verge on the side of the track and trains approach from behind. If that is clear? Modern point motors (such as "Surelock") are placed between the rails now and not to the side. This also gets around the problem of sighting them due to restrictions of space etc. I have a picture of the inside of one if anyone wants to see it?

Doug

 

[magickmaker]

It'd be interesting to see, yes.