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.Geochurchi wrote: ↑Thu Mar 17, 2022 7:12 amIt 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?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.
Why are these springs necessary
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Topics may include: antique park gauge train restoration, preservation, and history; building new grand scale equipment from scratch; large scale miniature railway construction, maintenance, and safe operation; fallen flags; track, gauge, and equipment standards; grand scale vendor offerings; and, compiling an on-line motive power roster.
Topics may include: antique park gauge train restoration, preservation, and history; building new grand scale equipment from scratch; large scale miniature railway construction, maintenance, and safe operation; fallen flags; track, gauge, and equipment standards; grand scale vendor offerings; and, compiling an on-line motive power roster.
Re: Why are these springs necessary
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Re: Why are these springs necessary
So what should the spring rate be, please? Would McMaster Carr part #1986K609 be an acceptable spring for 7-1/2" gauge?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.
Thank you,
Jeff Smith
Florida
Re: Why are these springs necessary
"...with oared passenger cars."
Makes me picture a Roman Galley...
RussN
Makes me picture a Roman Galley...
RussN
- PeterCraymer
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Re: Why are these springs necessary
Strasburg has spring switches in multiple locations along the line and see many operations everyday.