Fri, 16 Mar 2012 09:03:26 +0000UTCFridayam3103vUTC
Switch Operators.
There are five basic types of switch operators at Train Mountain. Two of these are remote operated switches and three operate right at the points of the switch. At the remote operated switches, you remain seated on your engine and you select alignment of a switch that is several feet in front of your engine.
You will encounter the first type of remote switches shortly after leaving Central Station. These are the electrical switches that allow you to enter the Klamath and Western track and to make your track selection at Grand Junction. As you approach these switches you will see a stand by the side of the track with push buttons.
![[Image: s_16744735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_16744735.jpg)
Stop by the stand and press the button for your desired route. Observe the overhead light like the one shown in the next photo and proceed when your get the required yellow or green light. When you make your selection, you do not have to worry about changing the switches under the train in front of you. The electronic switch operator is smart enough that it will not change the switches until that train has cleared the area. It is important that you wait for the proceed light. If you don’t, the switches may change under you. While going through Grand Junction you can change your route by pushing individual buttons at each switch.
![[Image: s_16764735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_16764735.jpg)
The second type of remote operated switches is the remote manual type. As you approach this type of switch you will see a stand with a yellow or green ball on the top with a yellow handle just below. If you see a green ball it means that the switch is aligned for the main line and the yellow for an alternate route or siding. This switch stand operates the points of the switch that is 40 feet beyond the stand. When you stop at this stand, if you move the yellow handle to the right you will turn to the right at the switch. Conversely, if you turn the handle to the left you will go to the left. These remote switch stands have completely changed the operation of Train Mountain. You no longer need to stop, get off your locomotive, and walk to the switch and return. Very cool! In most cases you don’t even need to reset the switch back to green because the following train can see the yellow ball and know the switch is thrown, The major exception to the don’t have to reset rule is where there is a diamond crossing and leaving the switch set could cause a major accident. Some of these diamonds are located behind Motor Pool on the Serpentine, Youngstown, South Portal, Blue Caboose coming from K&W, etc,. If you are not sure what to do then stop and let your conductor reset the switch back to green when clear.
![[Image: s_55084735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_55084735.jpg)
![[Image: s_55104735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_55104735.jpg)
Photo 4 shows the operator at the points at one of the manual remote operated switches. If you see a black plate off to the side like that shown in the photo, this is a remotely operated switch and the operator is 40 feet behind you. Do not attempt to operate the switch from this point. Walk back to the stand to operate the switch. There is one place on the track that is a little bit confusing to newcomers. There are two of these manual remote stands located close together just outside of the tunnel as you are leaving the Douglas Loop. The first stand operates the switch that has the alternate route of Dog Walk. The second stand operates the switch that has the alternate route of South Portal Circle. The main line here is up the outside loop to the Main Yard.
The other three types of switch operators you will find at Train Mountain are manual operators located at the points of the switch. You must stop, dismount and walk to the front of your engine to change these switches.
The first of these types of switches is the long arm wigwag as shown below. These switches are being replaced by the remote manual switches, but you will still find a few on the main line. To operate these switches, you simply move the arm to point it the direction you want to go. After you have moved your train through this type of switch you must realign the switch for the mainline.
![[Image: s_13424735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_13424735.jpg)
A short arm wigwag switch operator is shown below. You operate these switches by moving the short arm that is located off to the side of the points. The points of these switches are held in position with a spring. When you move through this type of switch in a direction from frog to points the points will spring over to allow the wheel flanges to pass. If you back up with one of these switches under your train there is a possibility that you could split the switch.
![[Image: s_77594735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_77594735.jpg)
The last major type of switch you will find at Train Mountain is the kick switch as shown below. To change alignment, simply kick the points over to the desired side. PLEASE, do not try to kick the points to California. If you make a dust cloud you are really kicking the switch to hard. All it takes is a slight nudge to realign the points. Also do NOT kick the points near the spring mount as this could destroy the spring and or its connections, kick the points about 12 inches back from the end of the points for best results. When you travel through this type of switch in a direction from frog to points the points will automatically snap over and realign to your direction of travel. There is no danger of splitting this type of switch when backing up.
![[Image: s_32574735.jpg]](http://hobby-tronics.lenzus.com/content/21775739/r/s_32574735.jpg)
When traveling around the track, it is your responsibility as train engineer to observe the alignment of all approaching switches. Failure to do so could result in an accident. There are many places around the track where an alternate route takes you across tracks with approaching traffic. If you are not alert, you could drive your train right in front of an oncoming train. Here is a tip: when observing alignment of the manual remote switches, it is easier to see the handle alignment on the stand than the points of the switch that are 40 feet on down the track. Remember, handle to the right, aligned to the right and handle to the left, aligned to the left. It is also your responsibility, after entering any siding, to realign the siding switch back to the main line.
To activate ANY of these switch operators means that you have STOPPED on the track and your conductor MUST flag the rear of your train. If you get hit by another train while your train is stopped and your conductor is still sitting on your train, you and the other train are both at fault. Flag to the rear, reset switches back to the main, slow down in congested areas, watch the track ahead, are all ways we can have a safe and sane Triennial.
Triennial Committee
There are five basic types of switch operators at Train Mountain. Two of these are remote operated switches and three operate right at the points of the switch. At the remote operated switches, you remain seated on your engine and you select alignment of a switch that is several feet in front of your engine.
You will encounter the first type of remote switches shortly after leaving Central Station. These are the electrical switches that allow you to enter the Klamath and Western track and to make your track selection at Grand Junction. As you approach these switches you will see a stand by the side of the track with push buttons.
Stop by the stand and press the button for your desired route. Observe the overhead light like the one shown in the next photo and proceed when your get the required yellow or green light. When you make your selection, you do not have to worry about changing the switches under the train in front of you. The electronic switch operator is smart enough that it will not change the switches until that train has cleared the area. It is important that you wait for the proceed light. If you don’t, the switches may change under you. While going through Grand Junction you can change your route by pushing individual buttons at each switch.
The second type of remote operated switches is the remote manual type. As you approach this type of switch you will see a stand with a yellow or green ball on the top with a yellow handle just below. If you see a green ball it means that the switch is aligned for the main line and the yellow for an alternate route or siding. This switch stand operates the points of the switch that is 40 feet beyond the stand. When you stop at this stand, if you move the yellow handle to the right you will turn to the right at the switch. Conversely, if you turn the handle to the left you will go to the left. These remote switch stands have completely changed the operation of Train Mountain. You no longer need to stop, get off your locomotive, and walk to the switch and return. Very cool! In most cases you don’t even need to reset the switch back to green because the following train can see the yellow ball and know the switch is thrown, The major exception to the don’t have to reset rule is where there is a diamond crossing and leaving the switch set could cause a major accident. Some of these diamonds are located behind Motor Pool on the Serpentine, Youngstown, South Portal, Blue Caboose coming from K&W, etc,. If you are not sure what to do then stop and let your conductor reset the switch back to green when clear.
Photo 4 shows the operator at the points at one of the manual remote operated switches. If you see a black plate off to the side like that shown in the photo, this is a remotely operated switch and the operator is 40 feet behind you. Do not attempt to operate the switch from this point. Walk back to the stand to operate the switch. There is one place on the track that is a little bit confusing to newcomers. There are two of these manual remote stands located close together just outside of the tunnel as you are leaving the Douglas Loop. The first stand operates the switch that has the alternate route of Dog Walk. The second stand operates the switch that has the alternate route of South Portal Circle. The main line here is up the outside loop to the Main Yard.
The other three types of switch operators you will find at Train Mountain are manual operators located at the points of the switch. You must stop, dismount and walk to the front of your engine to change these switches.
The first of these types of switches is the long arm wigwag as shown below. These switches are being replaced by the remote manual switches, but you will still find a few on the main line. To operate these switches, you simply move the arm to point it the direction you want to go. After you have moved your train through this type of switch you must realign the switch for the mainline.
A short arm wigwag switch operator is shown below. You operate these switches by moving the short arm that is located off to the side of the points. The points of these switches are held in position with a spring. When you move through this type of switch in a direction from frog to points the points will spring over to allow the wheel flanges to pass. If you back up with one of these switches under your train there is a possibility that you could split the switch.
The last major type of switch you will find at Train Mountain is the kick switch as shown below. To change alignment, simply kick the points over to the desired side. PLEASE, do not try to kick the points to California. If you make a dust cloud you are really kicking the switch to hard. All it takes is a slight nudge to realign the points. Also do NOT kick the points near the spring mount as this could destroy the spring and or its connections, kick the points about 12 inches back from the end of the points for best results. When you travel through this type of switch in a direction from frog to points the points will automatically snap over and realign to your direction of travel. There is no danger of splitting this type of switch when backing up.
When traveling around the track, it is your responsibility as train engineer to observe the alignment of all approaching switches. Failure to do so could result in an accident. There are many places around the track where an alternate route takes you across tracks with approaching traffic. If you are not alert, you could drive your train right in front of an oncoming train. Here is a tip: when observing alignment of the manual remote switches, it is easier to see the handle alignment on the stand than the points of the switch that are 40 feet on down the track. Remember, handle to the right, aligned to the right and handle to the left, aligned to the left. It is also your responsibility, after entering any siding, to realign the siding switch back to the main line.
To activate ANY of these switch operators means that you have STOPPED on the track and your conductor MUST flag the rear of your train. If you get hit by another train while your train is stopped and your conductor is still sitting on your train, you and the other train are both at fault. Flag to the rear, reset switches back to the main, slow down in congested areas, watch the track ahead, are all ways we can have a safe and sane Triennial.
Triennial Committee