What to do with points in awkward places?

2074 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by philstubbington, Jan 9, 2006

philstubbington

Discussion Starter · Jan 7, 2006

Hi..

Having worked out my track, I've just realised that one of my points is right over a brace on the underside of the baseboard. Other than rearranging the whole track (which is not going to be easy) what other options do I have? I've seen some right angle cranks at http://www.gemmodelrailways.co.uk/GEM_Web_...Mercontrol.html which would enable me to put the point motor somewhere else. Is this the general solution or are there others?

thanks,
phil

p.s. a newbie to the modelrailforum

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Doug

· #2 · Jan 7, 2006

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Is you point over the brace / Is the point motor over the brace?

I have taken out 3cm from one brace to fit a point motor. It didn't make the bracing any weaker as it is 7cm high. cut it with a jig saw from above and finished it off with a chisel.

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Rail-Rider

· #3 · Jan 7, 2006

Doug sensibly used very deep bracing!
But if a smaller brace might seem to be weakened by cutting, consider a new brace a little further from the awkward area or even sandwich the existing brace with more wood on each side of it before cutting out the offending section.

Another option is to site the solenoid on the board top and then disguise it with scenery or a small structure - or even a large structure of course!

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John Webb

· #4 · Jan 8, 2006

I have used the Gem right angle cranks - they are etched brass frets. I soldered these onto 1/8th inch brass rod. This rotates in 5/32 inch(OD) tube passed through the baseboard. A washer is soldered to the top of the tube and has a couple of small holes (1mm) drilled in it to take track pins to hold the tube in place.
This can be used with a surface-mounted point motor to place the point motor in a more convenient position, or it is possible to put a second crank on the underside of the baseboard but is rather awkward - unless the baseboard can be turned on edge or upside down to ease access.

An alternative is to get a second-hand H&M Point motor from a swap-meet or fair - these came with their own cranks and could be mounted either above or below the baseboard at a distance from the point and then connected by either a Gem 'Omega loop' orsimilar stiff but springy wire.

I hope this is of help,
John Webb

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philstubbington

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 9, 2006 (Edited by Moderator)

QUOTE (Doug @ 8 Jan 2006, 00:11)Hi, welcome to the forum.

Is you point over the brace / Is the point motor over the brace?

I have taken out 3cm from one brace to fit a point motor. It didn't make the bracing any weaker as it is 7cm high. cut it with a jig saw from above and finished it off with a chisel.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks Doug. Both. I'm using Peco track and point motors, and the point motor with "usual" fitting would be slap bang over the brace. The brace is only about 2" (5cm) high.

regards,
phil

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philstubbington

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 9, 2006

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try the "sandwich" approach as the brace is only 2" (5cm) high, and it's simpler than going the "crank" route!

regards,
phil

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