Electric switch machines on class 1 railroads
- Thread starter rgeiter
- Start date
Snowman
Well-Known Member
AFAIK, there were two widely used manufacturers (in North America) of railroad signaling equipment back in the day: Union Switch and Signal, and General Railway Signal, and both made switch power machines.
This company:
patcoindustries.com
rebuilds them for railroad use even today.
If you are trying to model a specific part of Conrail, your problem might be identifying which one was used where, as Conrail was a conglomerate. I would be surprised if Conrail didn't use both.
That one was loosely labeled a "switch machine of eastern rail." There are a lot of images out there--search "railroad switch machines" and you'll find quite a few photos of the real ones...as well as images of the model railroad versions we use.
"Back in the day" white metal castings were available which could be set along trackside (Detail Associates mebbe), and I'd be surprised if they aren't still out there. I don't have a Walthers catalog handy, but I'd start there.
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You will probably also want remote unlocks for any manually thrown--aka un-powered--switches, such as a spur coming directly off a mainline or siding.
I haven't watched this video, but it probably answers most of your questions:
This company:
Remanufactured Switch Machines » Patco Industries, Inc.
At Patco we take pride in our remanufactured switch machines, because we can. Learn more about what Patco offers here.
patcoindustries.com
If you are trying to model a specific part of Conrail, your problem might be identifying which one was used where, as Conrail was a conglomerate. I would be surprised if Conrail didn't use both.
That one was loosely labeled a "switch machine of eastern rail." There are a lot of images out there--search "railroad switch machines" and you'll find quite a few photos of the real ones...as well as images of the model railroad versions we use.
"Back in the day" white metal castings were available which could be set along trackside (Detail Associates mebbe), and I'd be surprised if they aren't still out there. I don't have a Walthers catalog handy, but I'd start there.
--------
You will probably also want remote unlocks for any manually thrown--aka un-powered--switches, such as a spur coming directly off a mainline or siding.
I haven't watched this video, but it probably answers most of your questions:
Last edited:
rgeiter
Conrail Quality
Found these on eBay. Just need to research to see if they were used in the era I’m modeling.AFAIK, there were two widely used manufacturers (in North America) of railroad signaling equipment back in the day: Union Switch and Signal, and General Railway Signal, and both made switch power machines.
This company:
rebuilds them for railroad use even today.Remanufactured Switch Machines » Patco Industries, Inc.
At Patco we take pride in our remanufactured switch machines, because we can. Learn more about what Patco offers here.
If you are trying to model a specific part of Conrail, you problem might be identifying which one was used where, as Conrail was a conglomerate. I would be surprised if Conrail didn't use both.
That one was loosely labeled a "switch machine of eastern rail." There are a lot of images out there--search "railroad switch machines" and you'll find quite a few photos of the real ones...as well as images of the model railroad versions we use.
"Back in the day" white metal castings were available which could be set along trackside (Detail Associates mebbe), and I'd be surprised if they aren't still out there. I don't have a Walthers catalog handy, but I'd start there.
--------
You will probably also want remote unlocks for any manually thrown--aka un-powered--switches, such as a spur coming directly off a mainline or siding.
I haven't watched this video, but it probably answers most of your questions:
One particular branch I use to visit back in the 90’s used air switch machines. They were loud and scary when they threw. That would be interesting to model, with their air tanks, piping and such.
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J.Albert
Well-Known Member
Snowman posted this link above:
This was used all over Conrail, mostly at control points that were remotely controlled.
It has power (of course), but if for some reason the power is off or the dispatcher can't control it, there's a manual throw lever as well.
I recall the proper procedure to operate one:
- get permission from dispatcher or operator to use the switch manually
- unlock the power/manual lever on right
- now move "the big lever" (on left) so that you see the points move in BOTH directions
- position the switch as needed
- then put power/manual switch back on "power" and lock it there.
There may have been an additional requirement to operate over the switch with a locomotive before putting it back "on power", so as to "be on the circuit" (which would prevent the switch from throwing "underneath you"). Can't remember that specifically, it's been a long time and the rulebooks are put away up in the attic...
This was used all over Conrail, mostly at control points that were remotely controlled.
It has power (of course), but if for some reason the power is off or the dispatcher can't control it, there's a manual throw lever as well.
I recall the proper procedure to operate one:
- get permission from dispatcher or operator to use the switch manually
- unlock the power/manual lever on right
- now move "the big lever" (on left) so that you see the points move in BOTH directions
- position the switch as needed
- then put power/manual switch back on "power" and lock it there.
There may have been an additional requirement to operate over the switch with a locomotive before putting it back "on power", so as to "be on the circuit" (which would prevent the switch from throwing "underneath you"). Can't remember that specifically, it's been a long time and the rulebooks are put away up in the attic...
Snowman
Well-Known Member
20:1 it's of GRS manufacture. At the far right end, just below and right of the brown glove is a raised, cast circle. That'll be the original GRS script logo inside the spherical raised edge, methinks. I measured one off a signal box many years ago--might even have taken a charcoal relief too.
Snagged from:
General Railway Signal - Wikipedia
[I claim fair use]
