• HOME
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Info & Updates
    • Subscribe/Renew with PayPal
    • Subscribe/Renew with Credit Card
    • Back Issues
    • Retrospectives
  • CONTACT US
  • AVAILABLE AT

All about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm

Cowcatcher Magazine

  • Home
  • News
    • Top News
    • Class 1 Railroads
    • Short Line Railroads
    • Light Rail / Commuter
    • Model Railroading
    • Railroad in Focus
    • Up Close
    • Heritage
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Information & Updates
    • Subscribe or Renew with Paypal
    • Subscribe or Renew with Credit Card
    • Back Issues
    • Retrospectives
  • Contact Us
  • Available At

Product Review – Walthers Switch Machine

The Walthers Layout Control System horizontal switch machine, left, mounts underneath the layout with four screws and plugs into the Distribution Block. – Tim Blackwell/Cowcatcher Magazine

By TIM BLACKWELL/Cowcatcher Magazine       

Over the summer, industry buzz began intensifying about Walthers’ new Layout Control System, the under-table-mounted switching approach that’s virtually plug and play. After installing a slow-motion Vertical Switch Machine on one of the nine turnouts on the Cowcatcher’s Northwest Tarrant & Pacific, we understand why.

The system is a step above similar under-table-mount products that require soldering and running wires for HO, N, Z, S and O scales.

Walthers sent the Cowcatcher a complete starter system,which includes the switch machine, distribution block, two-amp/12-volt filtered DC power supply, drill set and a dual bi-color LED fascia turnout controller.We did not receive equipment to adapt stall motor switch machines, like the popular Tortoise turnout system, which was due in late 2018.

The factory-assembled, servo-based unit is easy to install,using plug-in cables to and from the machine and distribution block to an independent power source. The system can be powered from a power pack by plugging the DC power supply into a wall outlet.

A big advantage is that hook-up doesn’t require soldering, which is common with other remote switch machines,and stringing stranded wire. No more lying on your back or contorting under the layout with a hot soldering iron welding wires.

We chose the siding for the concrete plant off the spur leading to American Warehouse on the NT&P for installation. The machine is sleek at 3 3/8 inches tall and fit nicely under the layout. A horizontal machine that requires less height to is available for multi-deck layouts.

An output rod or throw bar is centered on the turnout and controls one-second switch movement from left to right. Adjustable throw and tension ranges from 1/32 of an inch to a half-inch (1 mm to 12 mm) for turnouts to accommodate scales from Z to O.

Installation involves drilling holes for the output rod using a cookie-cutter template provided by Walthers, then mounting the switch machine, distribution block and fascia turnout controller. Once each was installed (small screws are provided), it’s just a matter of plugging in the cables to the appropriate outlets.

Simple.

However, do watch the installation videos at https://www.walthers.com/products/walthers-control-system. They helped speed installation.

The only question was removing the center jumper on the switch machine board. The jumper holds the switch machine in the center position − it comes that way from the factory to ensure proper location under the layout − when power is applied. The jumper covers two input prongs used in DCC mode and must be removed for DC operation. In DCC mode, the machine also can be operated from a throttle, thus eliminating the fascia turnout controller.

Neither instructions nor videos fully explain that the jumper is what covers the input prongs. At one point we thought the prongs needed to be removed.

Fortunately, we looked online a tthe Switch Machine Reference Guide, as suggested in the instructions, and realized we only needed to slide off the jumper.

After installation and powering up the system, everything worked perfectly. No adjustment was needed on the throw bar from the machine, although thorough instructions to adjust rod travel were included.

The turnout controller takes a firm push to activate, which prevents accidentally throwing the switch by bumping into the fascia.

A key to installation is working with the right tools, and Walthers thankfully makes available the correct drill bits, including a brass step bit that matches the diameter of controller pushbuttons and LED indicator bezels for panel mounting. The step bit is also good for wallowing out the hole for the throw bar under the turnout for proper turnout travel.

The starter system is ideal for powering pre-installed turnouts but existing turnouts can be converted by removing the switches to drill the hole for the throw bar.

Cost of materials to install one switch and the system, according to Walthers’ website, is about $89. Or use your own bits and save $12.

In all, the Walthers Switch Machine system is a nice addition to the layout without the muss and fuss of older technology. Turnouts are thrown realistically, and installation and wiring are neat and compact.

The system has plenty of add-on capacity with the distribution block, which reduces the overall cost per switch.

Walthers Dual LED Fascia Turnout Controller has a yellow-green indicator denoting direction of the turnout switch. Above, a local approaches the switch controlled by the turnout system on the Northwest Tarrant & Pacific, the Cowcatcher’s HO-scale project layout. – Tim Blackwell/Cowcatcher Magazine

Other Reviews

InterMountain ET44AC GEVO

  • Current Issue: March/April 2023

     

     

    INSIDE THIS ISSUE

  • General Purpose

    Nearly 75 years after the first General Purpose locomotive rolled off the assembly line at General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division, the workhorse diesel is still doing the job it was meant to do. The four-axle “Geep” is making main line moves, switching industries and doing short road work on mostly secondary railroads. Introduced in 1949 as the “ugly duckling” GP7, it has settled into a comfortable role and is always in demand, whether by lease or purchase. The Cowcatcher looks at the locomotive’s rise and some of its popular variations.

  • NRail Celebrates 50 Years

    NTRAK is a household name in model railroading and has something to celebrate. NTRAK and T-TRAK organizations within NRail have blossomed in the last 50 years to become the glue or common thread of modular model railroading and promote N scale in most areas of the U.S. and Canada and other countries.

     

     

  • M.T.H. Regaining Footing

    Its future once uncertain, O model maker M.T.H. Electric Trains is moving forward with a new business plan making new model train products sold exclusively within the company’s dealer network.

     

  • PLUS…

    Columnist Michelle Kempema goes behind the scenes with an O-scale model railroad club looking to change its image. …

     

    BNSF goes BIG on intermodal plans to build a massive facility in Barstow, CA, to expedite container shipments. …

     

    The Rock Island’s Memphis-Californian went west to El Paso and took a lot of good company. …

     

     

    THESE STORIES AND MORE, PLUS A FULL CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS AND THE BUSINESS PULSE OF THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY!

     

  • Order Issue

    PURCHASE THE CURRENT ISSUE TODAY!

    JUST $6.95, includes shipping (U.S. only)!

    Allow 3-5 business days for delivery upon placement of order.

    ** Email us for international shipping rates**

     

  • Back Issues

    Miss the January/February 2023 issue or other Cowcatcher editions? Be sure to check out our Back Issues page for any issues you may have missed. We have expanded descriptions for issues published beginning in 2007. Click here to order.

     

    See our most recent issues and order today!

     

  • Product News & Review

    InterMountain HO ADM Corn Syrup Car

     

    The Cowcatcher reviews InterMountain Railway Co.’s newly released HO-scale Trinity Industries 19,600-gallon corn syrup car. The tank car is one of several in the company’s second release.

     

    More product reviews!

     

    See product news!

     

  • Railroad in Focus

    Cowcatcher Magazine routinely features short lines and regional railroads that roam the Midwest and Southwest. Features include color photographs and maps, but an overview of operations and latest business trends.

     



    Like us on Facebook!  
  • Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad





    UPDATED! Visit the new N-scale Whitehurst & Pine Ridge Railroad, the official model railroad of the Cowcatcher Magazine, and track progress. All aboard!
  • Don’t Miss an Issue

    Click here to subscribe to Cowcatcher Magazine, the model railroad magazine and rail enthusiast magazine all about the community of model railroading and rail enthusiasm, today!
  • Article & Photo Submissions

    We encourage readers to submit articles and photos. For details, visit our guide here .

© 2022 Cowcatcher Magazine | No content from this site may be copied or re-used without permission | 2023 Cowcatcher Magazine. Site powered by Josh Sims