I used to rely on powered switch motors on all my turnouts because I thought it was spiffy. I have since gone back to manual throws because it's cheaper, easier to install, nobody cares anyway and in the end, how darn difficult is it to reach out and flip over a toggle anyway. The only time I use motors now is when I can't reach a turnout without risking damage to the scenery or because the turnout is in some oddball out of reach area. HOWEVER, a really cool way to do any turnout, manual or motored, is to run the actual operating linkages/motors/etc. under the table to the fascia, then install one of the brass Harp style switchstands to the throw bar. As the turnout is thrown, the switchstand automatically moves to indicate switch position that easy to identify at a glance. The only drawback is when I forget to remind the visitors not to use the Harps for activating the turnouts. They are simply added asanimation/decoration/indicators. A look at this type of installation can be seen in the upcoming July issue of Scale Rails in the article on my last railroad. All the yard turnouts were done this way using Hankscraft motors and Precision Scale harp style stands.

Marty,

I’ve been using Caboose Industries #220 Ground throws. They are sprung, and come with 5 different connectors to mate with the throw-bar. I picked these ones so I could use the contacts to route power to the frogs, but the ones without contacts are cheaper. They have the handle on top to show which way the points are thrown (sort of). The handle throws parallel to the track. The high level switch stands use a rotating target to show direction. I’ve used these as well. I’ve heard that they can stick sometimes, but I never had a problem with them. I know they are easy to take apart and clean so they can be fixed. Here is the only place I found with good pics of the throws. http://www.valleymodeltrains.com/97.html

On30 has what I want to do

Remote operation with operating harps

I guess Ill lok for precision scale web and see if they have 1:48 stands

On30 fan the caboose throws are what I have on my N scale layout and I agree they are great. However I was looking for something more "realistic"

Anyone else have ideas?

They sell both plastic and brass versions. The descriptions given list the plastic one good for animation but not for actually throwing the bar. The brass one is listed as good for actual operation. I recommend using only the brass ones, irregardless of the intended purpose. They are much sturdier and be sure to file off the tiny indent posts on the main bar so it will animate smoothly without catching in the position slots on the top of the harp. If you have one in hand, it will become obvious what needs to be done to make it move smoothly.

Miles Hale took a double pole double throw switch and mounted the harp shaped stand directly onto the switch nut. Then he cut off the toggle handle (proved to be hollow) and epoxied the tall harp throw bar into the stub hole left over from the toggle cut. What this produced was a dpdt harp switchstand that operates his Hankscraft and/or tortoise motor. You still have to reach in the layout, but it sure looks neat to throw that bar and see the turnout silently crank over really slow.