When I was at the display in Merkilngen, I noted that their turnouts moved with realistic motion, not the snap motion you usually have with electomagnetic switch motors. Does anyone know a source for such devices?

Jay:

Didn't even think of Brawa...

Thanks,

-Ron

This is a shock to me!! I never knew that there are slow moving turnout motors! [:0] If I knew that I wouldn't have bought a single motor from Marklin!!! [:(] Thanks for the info though!!! It will be good for everybody!!!

Hi all

We have seen the tortoise work. They look realistic and the speeds can be adjusted (if I can recall correctly)

However it is bulky and green. Perhaps looks better when hidden - I mean under the layout.

Cheers for now


Noel

Nuno:
It really is a noticable difference. I plan to use them in the visible areas of my layout. I'll still use the electromagnetic in the hidden areas, due to expense.

-Ron

Hi

I am now quite enthusiastic about this! But I have a lot of questions...
Which one do you recommend? Brawa or Tortoise? Does anyone of you have any of these?
How do you make the connections? Can you hide the motor completely under the layout?
Do you have any pictures or schemes about this?

Cheers,

Nuno

Heh. Just got e-mail from the Lok Shop. I have two Brawa motors on BACK-order.

-Ron

I seem to recall that also Peco has some nice slow-motion stuff...

Kevin, didn't you use these on your layout?

Hi all,
There are several slow turnout motors, like Hoffmann, Peco, Brawa and Lemaco (may actually be the same as Brawa).
Personally, I am not too fond of these mechanical motors with many moving parts and contacts. They are noisy, and although I may be completely wrong, I am not sure about their durability. My M-turnouts from the early 1960s still function, and I would like to see my present acquisitions also to last for at least 40 years. Moreover, the Brawa costs aroud Eur 16.50 at Lokshop, which I can't afford.
Planning a large layout wtih approx. 90 turnouts (which probably will never be finished [:p]), I am still searching for cheap, simple and durable motors.

On my test track, I have been testing the Viessmann 4550 drive, which is the base part of the Viessmann semaphore signals. It uses the electromagnetic principle with 2 solenoid coils, but the piston moves through a fluid damper, so that the movement is slow, and even adjustable. Also, since it has been designed to drive signals, it has an additional switch (the 2 red wires), which may be used for feedback of the turnout state or for other purposes.
Mounted horizontally under the baseboard, its wire is bend to a 90' angle upward to directly drive my K-turnout.
However, I am not happy with its function yet. It is quite large (approx 10cm), and its wire is difficult to adjust (read: not at all). I will try to add a formal joint and axle under the baseboard, to adjust the travel and to prevent the sideways movements, but this would add to the price and the amount of work. Thus, I'm searching for other solutions.

I am now testing the Hoffmann / Conrad switch motors, which may not be very durable as well (just a pessimistic guess), but at least, they are cheap (Eur 6). They are very well adjustable and easy to be installed, which is a great relief after all the problems I had with the Mä under-baseboard mounting sets 7548/7549. I will let you know my Hoffmann experience in the future.