The Home Machinist!

I want to build some kick-switches. I need a mechanism that is simple (not a lot of parts) and is free-moving.

Do you have a favorite kick-switch design?

Chuck,
The Wimberley, Blanco & Southern uses “hockey pucks” in many locations. Ken Smith makes them. You can kick them with your foot to actuate.

I can put you in touch with Ken if you like.
Brian

Contact Kitsap Live Steamers. They have a robust and simple kick-switch design.
www.kitsaplivesteamers.org

Anyone on the contact list can put you in touch with the appropriate person.
~RN

one of our local guys recently did one, but he wanted it to automatically switch the opposite direction when the train went through it as he wanted it to change directions around the loop every other trip by adjusting the spring tension and such... here is what he had to say..."I put in the kick switch mechanism on the main pond loop switch yesterday and tested it out today.

based on the 1" scale video that Dave forwarded me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO8u6_8xsq4

The train throws the switch if the train is moving against it. Pretty neat how that works. I tested it about 10 times in each direction and works nice. This means if I am running alone on the track each time I approach the pond loop, I will go around the pond in the opposite direction. If multiple trains are running it could go either way depending on where the trains are.

I went to Tractor Supply and picked up spring I thought would work and it did. I think I got lucky it worked the first time. "

Something to look at for ideas...

Dave

DRS_RR wrote: ↑Sun Jun 23, 2019 9:58 pm based on the 1" scale video that Dave forwarded me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO8u6_8xsq4
....

Dave

Yup, I have seen that style in the past but had forgotten about it. It does work well. Things are a bit exposed to damage (switches are most common derailment points) but it's simple enough to replace.

I'm going to try to come up with a design that, with a simple adjustment, can be either "spring back" or "switch to route" on trailing point moves.

Other designs I have seen (Burnaby, Canada) ...

sounds good Chuck, look forward to what you come up with.

Dave

I created a post awhile back looking for the same info, the design I like the most was a bearing on a sprung arm that rode on a "triangle" that was mounted to the point bar or throw bar. The angle of the sides of the triangle and the spring stiffness could be easily played with for fine tuning and it could be mounted between the rails or beside them. I think this is what the Kitsap guys are using.

I like the idea that it could be used on a reversing loop and then you'd go the other direction every other time.

The turnout stands that I had for sale or any turnout stand really, are easily set up with a spring, or pair of springs on the throw bar linkage. The turnout can be ran through against the point rails in one direction and would stay set for whichever direction it was set. Basically instead of a hole or eye on the point bar(or it can be setup on the stand as well but it's not as easy), there is an angle or tab with a hole in it. Threaded rod goes through the hole, springs on each side, adjust the nuts retaining the springs on the threaded rod for the desired results. It also allows the turnout stand to over-travel the points, and the springs will hold pressure on the point rails.

The Iowa Model Steam Engineers use kick switches. They are simple but I don't have a very close picture. We also add an electrical conduit and a kick at both ends so you can come up to a switch and throw it without getting off your engine.

Wayne

Original drwgs #2,3 & 4 by Bill Laird, 12-21-2001
Drwg # 1 is a clarification of what we used at one time at Alaska Live Steamers, Bob Englebach.
If you want or need clarification on any item in any photo, let me know. I can also email digitized copies to anyone if you PM you e-mail. Sry they are topsy turvy.
Scotty

Here is a kick-switch design used on Jack Haskin's AS&NTRR.

http://ibls.org/mediawiki/index.php?tit ... k_Switches

Daris