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A Question On Switches
Barry is going to construct an HO mountain layout but needs some help from readers on selecting switches and asks:
I think I am going to go with a ‘mountain railroad layout’ like the one in part 6 of the Model Train Help Ebook. Can someone tell me is a snap switch left & right the same as a remote switch left or right? I will need crossover switches (which are very expensive), but I don’t know what to buy. Can anyone who has built a layout advise me please on what switches I will need?
Readers can help Barry by adding feedback and thoughts to his posting by using the green Comments & Feedback link below.
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The difference between the snap and remote turnouts (we call them turnouts to keep from confusing them with electrical switches) is the “remote” part. Snap turnouts are manually thrown, remote turnouts can either be manually thrown or wired to switches placed conveniently on your control panel.
A word to the wise, don’t go cheap on turnouts. The money you save on cheap ones will not be worth the headaches they cause later on when they fail.
barry, I used both Atlas and peco on my layout, I have a four way Peco that works fine, I have three Peco three ways, I use the Atlas switches about half and half with the Peco, cost wise this worked for me…I have very little problems with them . The Peco in some instances needs to be insulated with plastic track joiners, I have found the Atlas more user friendly with sound engines…Another layout here has three crossovers , they are Atlas and work fine…….Hope this helps you out Herb Sr
n gauge snap switch. What is the power and watt to use?