Why are these springs necessary

Discuss park gauge trains and large scale miniature railways having track gauges from 8" to 24" gauge and designed at scales of 2" to the foot or greater - whether modeled for personal use, or purpose built for amusement park operation or private railroading.

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LVRR2095
Posts: 1688
Joined: Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:50 pm
Location: Maine, USA

Re: Why are these springs necessary

Post by LVRR2095 »

Geochurchi wrote: Thu Mar 17, 2022 7:12 am
Bill Shields wrote: Wed Mar 16, 2022 8:14 am less parts all seems like a good idea until someone runs through the closed switch and derails and entire train full of cars and or damages the switch because something is now bent

the, all of a sudden -> that $4 spring seems like a good idea.
It seems to me that the real reason for the springs is to prevent a derailment if a train is going into a turnout in the wrong direction , do real railroads have these devices?
Yes,,,real railroads use spring switches. In fact the Seashore Trolley Museum here in Maine have them on the main line so they can run without having to stop and throw switches with oared passenger cars.
Jacob's dad
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Feb 22, 2003 10:13 pm
Location: Florida

Re: Why are these springs necessary

Post by Jacob's dad »

Pontiacguy1 wrote: Tue Mar 15, 2022 3:04 pm When you build a switch with the springs in it to move the points, I.E. a Sprung switch, you need to be careful about how stiff you make your springs. if they are too stiff, then lighter cars will end up derailing instead of moving the points over and running through the switch. If they are too light, then the switch will tend to not move all the way over into the proper position when you throw it, especially if it has a lack of lubrication or a little bit of dirt or tree sap or whatever in it that might make it want to stick.
So what should the spring rate be, please? Would McMaster Carr part #1986K609 be an acceptable spring for 7-1/2" gauge?

Thank you,

Jeff Smith
Florida
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NP317
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Re: Why are these springs necessary

Post by NP317 »

"...with oared passenger cars."

Makes me picture a Roman Galley... 😱😂
RussN
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PeterCraymer
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Location: Maysville, Ga.

Re: Why are these springs necessary

Post by PeterCraymer »

Strasburg has spring switches in multiple locations along the line and see many operations everyday.
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