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Point Control


goldngreen

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Last year I was asked a question about how I intended to actuate the points. Unfortunately I missed that question and so have only just responded. Apologies to Jack Benson for that. Here is the explanation I promised. I am using stiff push/pull wires under the baseboard as shown here:

 

image.png.f53372225bee11f1d3ec55966861f2f6.png

 

The other components in the design are choc-box connectors. The brass insides of the choc-box connectors are used as joiners for the wire to allow the system to be re-configurable (see 1). The consequence is that it can, in theory, be reconfigured to operate from the front or the back by undoing a couple of screws and connecting the handle to the other side. Another brass choc-box-inside is used directly under the point. A groove is filed in to the side of the brass connector into which a vertical wire is soldered. This engages with the point via a hole in the baseboard (see 2).

 

point-actuator.jpg.1d7a5f033f992538d1a6ca9178a5858a.jpg

 

The wires are guided by brass tube which is held in place using the plastic outside part of choc-box connectors (see 3).

 

I have one side of the double-slip mounted in line with the Y point. The consequence is that I needed to divert the control of the Y point sideways past the double-slip actuator. This is done using more choc-box-internals with filed grooves and soldered wires to effect a horizontal bridge (see 4). I needed the double bridge with tension on the wires to make it stiff enough.

 

A similar approach is used to operate the switches required to complete the double slip electrical continuity (see 5).

 

The wires stick a short distance out of the front of the layout. They are covered with small plastic handles.

 

point-control-2.jpg.b8a0ac95d24a2b7af187e7be952bed8b.jpg

 

Label 6 shows one of the holes for the alternative rear operation configuration. I cannot have these permanently setup since at home it is against a wall.

 

The use of the adjustable screw connectors makes it easy to fettle the system to get the right tolerances. It is also easy to fix if something goes wrong although it has been working reliably since installation.

I think I got the basic idea from a BRM article which, unfortunately, I cannot find now.

Edited by goldngreen

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That is a very neat solution. I’m just beginning to think about point control on my own layout and I’m rather inspired by this, thank you for sharing and explaining.

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  • RMweb Gold
8 hours ago, 5&9Models said:

That is a very neat solution. I’m just beginning to think about point control on my own layout and I’m rather inspired by this, thank you for sharing and explaining.

If you give it a go, I hope it works out for you. 

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Very nice. I'm not far down the road of S&T in the grand scheme of things but I feel like I want a proper signal box on my layout with interlocking, etc. which precludes rods like this - but I guess it could be done with cranks?

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