Photos - Trackwork - Switch Throws

RAISED SWITCH THROWS

The passing siding between Bellamy and Peter’s Pond uses two left hand switches to allow a train to enter on the main (straight) from either end. Once in the siding, the lead switch has to be thrown to allow the train to leave. Then it has to be returned to its original mainline position to allow other trains to enter.

As this siding is at ground level, and a lot of our retired members have caboose stove shapes, stooping or kneeling to throw our standard barrel bolt switch throws would have been hard on our creaky backs and knees. As the siding could not be raised, the switch throws were.

T bars were driven into the ground near the switches. An L shaped bracket was bolted to the top and drilled out to hold a choke cable. These cables are available at most auto part stores like PartSource here in Ottawa.

Pulling or pushing the choke cable moves an L shaped bracket attached to the throw bar which moves the switch points. Plastic tubing has been added to the exterior of the choke cables to prevent rusting and the cables can be lubricated by adding oil to the top under the handle.

They may not be as pretty as those store bought cast switch throws, but they sure are easy on our creaky backs and knees.

BARREL BOLT AND OTHER SWITCH THROWS

Plastic switch throws do not last very long in our climate. Over the years we have tried a number of different store-bought replacements, but none withstood the rigors of our climate and the constant manual use in our railroad operations. Fortunately a couple of years ago, we constructed a homemade, brass barrel bolt, ground throw. It has proven to be rugged enough for both our climate and our constant use.

This ground throw is constructed of a small brass barrel bolt and some rigid steel wire. One end of the bolt is drilled and tapped to accept a machine screw. Alternatively, a self-tapping machine screw can be used. The hole is drilled just deep enough so that the screw bottoms out leaving enough room for the washer and loop of the V spring to turn freely.

The V spring is bent with a loop at one end to fit over the machine screw and an L to fit in the throw bar of the switch at the other. It can both push and pull, ensuring the switch points are held firm against the rails no matter which direction the switch is thrown. With practice, these springs can be bent with a pair if long nosed pliers in less than minute.

In time, these brass ground throws will weather like brass track and blend into the scenery. They require no maintenance except for the occasional spray with some silicon lubricant.


A ground throw mounted 90 degrees to the switch on a block of weather resistant material. The spring is slightly stretched in this position and slightly compressed when thrown.	A ground throw mounted parallel to the switch with a simple L bracket used to the change direction of the throw.

A 2x2 added to the roadbed to mount a parallel ground throw. Note the extra long wire passing under the left track to activate the throw bar on the right switch. Two small nails between the tracks keep the throw wire from flexing.	A choke cable mounted to the roadbed to activate an inaccessible switch on the far side of the yard next to the fence.

A homemade three way stub switch used in the Firgrove Yard. Small nails limit the travel of the switch to the outside rails.	A better view of the brass throw lever. The rest of the switch is made of acrylic and aluminum rail.

Three, temporary bumpers installed in the Craig Leigh Yard. If painted black, they probably remain unchanged for years.

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Last Modified 5/26/08 12:08 PM