THE NEW MOLE V1.1 DOUBLE ACTION, SWITCH MACHINE KIT




(approximate size comparison as shown)

THE MOLE is a powerful stall motor SWITCH MACHINE, with a built in SPDT Frog Power Switch, that can be mounted and used in an almost identical manner to the larger "Traditional" Switch Machines, but is supplied in a much smaller package, and at a much lower price!



"I AM A MOLE AND I LIVE IN A HOLE"

Much more importantly, the Mole has several major additional INCLUDED features, the first of which allows it to be simply horizontally mounted flush into the top of the baseboard for much easier access and connection. It's even ideally sized to fit completely within the new standard modern 2" foam baseboard construction.



Using it's new unique "vertically adjustable extended side arm", it can be located directly by (and now a little lower than) its turnout - OR - Conveniently REMOTELY surface or hidden mounted, driving the turnout invisibly from as much as several feet away, via one of our wire in tube linkages.



The new "Double Action" feature of the Extended Arm, with its multiple holes at both ends, also allows a single Mole to operate several linked turnouts, and/or signals together. These include crossovers, slips, etc., which have throwbars, levers, etc., which need to be SIMULTANEOUSLY "PUSHED" AND "PULLED" IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE DIRECTIONS.

Other (included) unique features include a two step adjustable throw distance and, if sited remotely, easy transmission of frog power via the inner wire in the "wire in tube" remote linkage.


(Layout installation picture - Courtesy of Dr. Robert Sterner)

And for those who still prefer to crawl under their baseboards, ;) , the mole can be mounted and used in the same way and place as larger motors, but of course, takes up far less space and depth.

The Mole operates from switched +/- 12 v DC at nominal 30 mA stall current, using the 2 x 200 Ohm resistors (included). That means it can be operated from exactly the same (or existing) 12v supply and DPDT switches as traditional larger stall motors. Note it is NOT intended to be operated at higher or lower voltages, NOR should it ever be used without the included two resistors in series.

Click on the MOLE SWITCH MACHINE GUIDE for the illustrated option and assembly details.


FLEX THROW MANUAL TURNOUT CONTROLS

     

A NEW WAY TO ENJOY "OPERATIONS"

The feel and convenience of HAND THROWING, for Turnouts that maybe awkwardly placed in delicate scenery, or obscured by moving trains, or just too "FAR OVER" to reach over for.

AND MORE CONVENIENTLY MOUNT SWITCH MOTORS

SWITCH MOTORS can now be MOUNTED/MAINTAINED REMOTELY, optionally even ABOVE THE BASEBOARD, rather than AWKWARDLY directly underneath a TURNOUT




Our special miniature THICK-WALLED SOFT COPPER OR NEW ECONOMICAL PLASTIC tube system bends to down to 2" radius and is easily hidden or buried in ballast and under scenery layers. It is even small enough to pass under intervening HO track work and between HO ties.

The extra small internal diameter keeps mechanical losses (hysteresis) to a minimum, while the the easily bendable inner wire can be easily formed into Omega Loops and hook ends, with just simple needle nose pliers.

               

MINIATURE ANGLE CRANKS ALLOW EXTRA SHARP TURNS,
WHILE SPLITS CAN OPERATE MULTIPLE SWITCHES SIMULTANEOUSLY AND EVEN SOME IN A REVERSE DIRECTION.

For example: The right hand picture shows how to connect a crank to throw both halves of a crossover from one throw lever
(can you see how? - answer below)

      

CONVENIENCE ACCESSORIES INCLUDE PRE-FORMED OMEGA LOOPS, ADAPTORS FOR PECO TURNOUTS AND SOLDERLESS WIRE JOINERS..



INTEGRATED LEVER FRAMES, WITH LOCKING LEVERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MULTIPLE SWITCHES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY, SUCH AS YARD LADDERS, STATION THROATS, ETC.,

          

OUR WIDE RANGE OF MINIATURE PRESSURE AND CAM OPERATED SWITCHES, ADDS INCREDIBLE FLEXIBILITY TO ADD ELECTRICAL DETECTION OF OPERATING POSITION.

Mounted at either end, or any junction, of a tube link, these, tiny, almost invisible switches can operate panel or signal leds or logic inputs directly.


OUR INEXPENSIVE POWER RELAYS CAN AMPLIFY THOSE SIGNALS TO ROUTE FULL DC OR DCC TRACK POWER, SWITCH FROGS,OR EVEN CONTROL OTHER MOTORIZED DEVICES.

{Answer: Both switches of a crossover can be thrown if the lever is connected to the wire in the LH or the UPPER tube.  Either way the wires in the other two tubes will operate in opposite directions to pull one throw rod and push the other.  Omega loops will likely be necessary on at least one throwbar}