LGB(?) track isolation switch

[KeithT]

At the NWGscale meeting earlier today I came across these isolating switches. They are just what I need for some new sidings but I have never encountered them previously. As can be seen from the pics they are standard sections of LGB track but are the switches themselves LGB? Several people seemed to think not.
I intend to use them outdoors with some LGB electrically conductive grease. Doubts were cast on that but, we shall see.
Has anyone encountered these previously and had experience of them?

 

[phils2um]

The switches are not anything I've seen from LGB. From the pics they look to me like O scale or possibly HO ground throws that have a springy contact soldered on the actuating arm. You might look at these Llagas Creek ground throws, Ground Throw, or even the Caboose Industries ground throws, Caboose Industries | Manual Ground Throws for Model Railroaders, to do a similar modification.

 

[Paul M]

Look home built to me

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I agree, the width of the metal base plate is different between the 2 in the pictures.

Nothing I would leave outside. Note also that for outside use, you would put a thin piece of styrene in the cut gap which will close with heating/cooling.

Greg

 

[KeithT]

Thanks for the above comments, I have to agree that they look homemade plus, the rail cuts whilst neat in themselves show clear signs of false starts with an Exacto saw or similar.

 

[dunnyrail]

Without doubt the switches are a 00 product much like the Wrenn offerings but other makes used to be available. In my former Analogue Electrical days I used small SPST switches drilled into a sleeper with an LGB Isolator inserted into a length of rail and connections soldered on to the rail and switch. These survived just fine outside and are still in place in my Fiddle Yard and get used on my Auto Railway to create dead sections. Not able to show pics just now but have posted in the past.

 

[Gavin Sowry]

I used small SPST switches drilled into a sleeper with an LGB Isolator inserted into a length of rail and connections soldered on to the rail and switch.

I've done that too.

 

[a98087]

Clever way of doing isolation, however as already has been said, some sort of physical barrier between the cut rails is needed,

As the rails will move and cause issues

Dan

 

[dunnyrail]

Clever way of doing isolation, however as already has been said, some sort of physical barrier between the cut rails is needed,

As the rails will move and cause issues

Dan

LGB Isolating fishplate would likely not work in this case, some Araldite in the gap would though.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

a small piece of expired credit card, trimmed with a hobby knife after in place