Turnout control,Manual or Electric pros or con

[ngaugingnut]

Marc!!! I can't believe I forgot about your paper clip turnout control! I even posted how much I liked it in your original thread! I'm going to set one of these up on my layout as an experiment despite my current efforts to use barrel bolts. My big issue with turnouts is that the points float so I need a way for them to set firmly in place. Have you had any problems like that with your system?

Ralph

I'm using Peco turnouts that have the built-in springs, so no problem there - when I push or pull the knob on the fascia it clicks into position. I do have one turnout that I mangled when trying to drill a hole in the throwbar middle so the spring doesn't work that well anymore, but good enough - just have to push or pull a bit harder to ensure the points snug up to the stock rails. I'm hoping that when I handlay there will be enough friction in the throwbar that the points will stay in place - if not I guess I'll need to fashion a wire spring of some sort.