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                                                                                  O Scale Racor Switchstands with Adlake Lantern

                                                                                  2 and 3 Rail Instructions

 Please read instructions all the way through before you mount it.

“O” Scale Switchstands TAS-100/102/103/106. Thank you for the purchase of our Racor Switchstand Model 22 with the Adlake Lantern or the New Century Switchstand Model 53A or the High Level Switchstand with the Adlake lantern. The Model 22 stand is the first brass, lighted, manually operated switchstand in any scale. The New Century stand 106 is the first brass stand that can work in O,S or HO scale

A few notes about the switchstands that hopefully will make your installation a little easier. These basic instructions will apply to all the stands. The two stops on either side of the Lower Housing have not been filed down on the low level stands.  If in your installation you have more than a 90 degree turn, then you can file these stops down to achieve a little more movement of the small gear which is controlled by the Throwing Lever.  Not all switch tracks have the same amount of throw and we allowed for this on this these versions of the switchstand. It is very important that when you mount the switchstand that it is secured to the ties so that it does not move at all. If it moves then you are losing “throw” which could mean your track doesn’t fully meet with the rail to complete the “throw”.  Now follow the instructions below to complete your installation.

First determine how long you want your linkage to be.  (See below for different linkage options.) After you determine this then cut it about 1/2" longer so that you can put a 90 degree bend at each end or a "Z" bend. One end connects to the track throw bar and the other end connects to the switchstand.  Connect both ends of the linkage and then position the switchstand on the long ties where the stand will be mounted.  Make sure the throw arm is turned to the right in most cases. This is the green position of the stand meaning the track rails are straight.  The red position would mean the rails are turned and the handle is all the way to the left.  Make sure that the track rails are straight and one of the rails is pressed completely against one of the main line rails.  In most cases the rail that is the farthest from the switchstand will be that rail.  Once this is accomplished then position the switchstand and linkage so that a constant pressure is being applied against the main line rails then you can tack the switchstand in place.

Linkage Options TAS-100.  For your linkage any number of items will work. A bronze wire .025" is supplied with each stand. To assist you in your installation we have given you an option to connect to either of three holes on the Linkage Tab for the TAS-100 stand in 3 rail and two holes for the 2 rail version.  Remember the outer holes will give more throw.

Linkage TAS-102, 106   Linkage Tab has 2 holes in it.  The TAS-103 has 3 holes in it.  You can clip off the outer hole if you don't need it. The holes are approximately .025 in. Piano wire of .025 diameter is supplied with the TAS-102 stands.The TAS-103 has holes that are approximately .032 and bronze wire of that size is provided.  Make sure that your linkage is straight and free of any kinks which will take away from the “throw” of the switchstand. Do a test run and pick the hole on the tab that best fits the length of the linkage that will give you a complete throw. Not all turnouts have the same throw. It is very important to do this step before you mount the switchstand. Please checkout my website www.all-aboard-trains.com . Look under Downloads for Linkage Options for the Adlake switchstand. This will explain in more detail some other options for installing the switchstand.

The Lantern is not mounted on the stand to allow you to mount your switchstand and determine the amount of throw that you will need. This will allow you to mount the Lantern so you can get as close to a 90 degree turn on your Lantern if your switch needs more throw. In this manner, looking down the track you should see the Lantern aligned with the track and not turned more or less 90 degrees from the edge of the track. Once you have determined the amount of throw that you need then you can mount the Lantern over the light bulb and cement it in place with a very small amount of Red Locktite or some type of quicksetting superglue. Be careful to not use too much or you may glue the Large Gear to the Upper Housing and keep the switchstand from turning. ( I use a rubbery type of compound to hold the LED's in the barrell of the switchstand. You can actually move the LED up or down by pulling on both wires at the same time. I would do this adjustment before you mount it though.)

When the installation is complete all you have to do is connect the two wires of the 3 V LED to a separate 3VDC supply. You can run these LED's on a single 1 1/2VDC battery and they are bright enough.  If you are running multiple LED's you could wire them all in parallel and use one 3VDC power source. Be sure and follow polarity. The red is positive and the black is negative.  If you cross them you will blow the LED. For more protection you could add a 1000 ohm resisitor in series with the positive lead.   Your switchstands will look great glowing along your trackside without flickering from any power surges or dropout. 

(One cautionary note when operating the switchstands. When you turn the Throwing Lever do not force the throw. The mechanism (pin in track we call it) is made of a very hard bronze and will last for a very long time if you are gentle with the throw, during what could be a long break in time because some switches may not get thrown very much at all. So keep this in mind when you are ready to switch your tracks.) I hope you enjoy adding this missing detail to your layout and I hope it really adds some finality to your trackwork. We welcome your feedback and pictures of your installations and thanks again for your interest in our product line.