~ Click on Items Name below to view:~ ~ ~ Back to top of Blog
Web Home Page ~ ~Dues Info ~ ~Donations



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

How to make your own "Power Routing" Turnout

Click on image to enlarge

Thanks to Paul Smith who reminded me of this.  Let's say you have a dead end siding like I show above on my layout.  You can easily pull in a small engine and car and "park" it on the siding by shutting off the power simply by throwing the switch it came in on back to the straight position.  The switch can be manual or powered it makes no difference.  The "power routing switch" automatically sends power to the siding when it is moved into the curved position.   To make all this happen you only need to turn the switch over and remove the terminal screw (See small red arrow)  that connects the main rail to the rail points or movable section. (I think this is called a "frog" but I am not sure).  The important thing is that the only time the siding will pick up power is when the switch is turned back onto the siding so that the rail point physically contacts the main line rail (Blue Arrow).  Now you have a "power routing turnout" or a "smart switch" that turns the power on and off for you automatically.  
Posted by at

2 comments:

psmithu18b said...

Thanks John! Is the turnout in the photo a USA Trains or Aristo? Maybe they are both set up the same way. Are the two turnouts shown in the photo of the stub siding 4 foot radius (or diameter - I forget what USA calls them). Looks like they make the most efficent use of space for an industry or two.

August 17, 2011 at 10:19 AM
John said...

Thanks Paul, As far as I know they are both set up the same way. Mine are 4 foot turnouts but again the wiring I think stays the same. It is a very convenient way to control power to a siding, especially if it is within easy reach. A lot easier than putting in insulated gaps and toggle switches.

In fact we were just talking about it at last open house. The problem was the terminal screw corroded and power was shut of to siding when switch was thrown. Basically it is the same principle.

Thanks for reminding us we can use this to our advantage!

August 17, 2011 at 11:05 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)