The LNER Encyclopedia

Hello all,

I'm in the planning stages of a loft LNER layout, and I've decided to use mechanical turnout and signal control, with the compotents almost certainly being from GEM's Mercontrol range. However, I've come across a bit of a stumbling block: I wish to mount the system under the baseboards, but I am unsure as to how the system will connect to the turnouts above the baseboards , and at the same time be rigid and reliable. I'm particularly worried about the compressing forces the rods/wires may experience when acting away from the operator and against the sprung tie bar of Peco points. If anyone on the forum uses or has used mechanical turnout operation mounted under the baseboard, can you please give me some hints and suggestions? I've tried surfing the net for possible solutions on several occassions but not found anything. Pictures and/or diagrams would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Bass

Hello Bass,

I use Tortoise point motors to drive the point blades of the Peco points on my 7mm layout. A friend of mine uses home made memory wire motors to switch his 4mm points. In both cases the springs have been removed from the points. I have found it better to do this and use the drive to hold the point blades firmly against the stock rails. If you build in more movement than you need you can use a piece of springy wire to connect to the tie-bar. I have no experience of the Mercontrol system, but it should be possible to fabricate a slider that will carry the vertical spring wire. Possible a bit of brass tube. This can cross-drilled to accept the wire and can be supported in a couple brackets either side of the hole under the tie-bar.

I'm including a snap of the memory wire drive which I designed in case you are interested. It has the merit of being totally silent. You don't say to what scale your layout will be but this point motor is 175mm x 30mm which is within the footprint of a Peco 4mm point. It fits directly under the point. The drive pin to the tie-bar is in the far end of the pivotted brass plate at the right hand end.

Chaz