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Cary Clark / FAQ / Trains / remote

How do I make remote-controlled points (switching rails)?

From Ben Fleskes: !

I use a small technic pneumatic cylinder with a modified switch track. I modified a switch track using Steve Barile’s instructions on the PNLTC web page. This change took at most five minutes and I found it very easy with an exacto knife as my only tool. After the modifcation, the switch could easily be switched from one position to the next with little resistance.

To build the pneumatic switch, you will need the following parts:
(1) small technic cylinder
(1) 1x2x1 brick with side peg
(1) gray technic connector peg
(1) modified switch track
Pneumatic hoses, valve and a pump.

Place the gray technic connector peg on the small yellow extension on the switch track activator arm. This is a friction connection.
Connect the 1x2x1 brick with side peg to the base of the small pneumatic cylinder.
Connect the cylinder and brick to the gray technic connector peg on the yellow switch arm, with the 1x2x1 brick with side peg on the side closest to the track. Press the 1x2 down to the base of the switch track, immediately adjacent to the track.
Connect hoses, valve and pump and you are done.

I’ve found this to be very reliable and simple solution that takes up very little additonal space outside the base of the switch track.

From Christopher Masi: !

Here’s my design, which copies some features found on other automated points. http://users.rcn.com/cjmasi/lego/trains/tech/pointsmarkii/points.htm

From Wessel Burgers: !

And here are the building instructions for my automated 9V points. http://www.wez.myweb.nl/points1.htm

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