Problems with turnout motors/switches

[RobertInOntario]

Rob, one fix for burning out turnouts coils is to power them with capacitor discharge circuits. The way they work is a capacitor is charged up, and then when the button is pressed the capacitor discharges into the switch coil snapping the switch to the new position. As soon as the capacitor discharges, it is dead until the button is released to allow the capacitor to recharge. The kids can hold down the button forever and nothing happens. Release the button and the capacitor recharges in seconds ready to go to work again. I think both Kalmbach and Carstens offer books with simple electronic projects that would include capacitor discharge switch machines. I think I've seen some plans and instructions posted to the internet as well.

Thanks, Russ. I appreciate this feedback but it looks like the motors are OK. This still sounds like a good option to consider though, as the kids sure like messing with those buttons! Rob