Model Railway Points Motors

Points are a type of track used on a model railway that allow the movement of a train from one section of a track to another. Points are also known as turnouts or switches depending where in the world you are building your model railway. They consist of a pair of running rails that can be moved by a mechanism similar to a switch to change the direction of a model train. This switch can be controlled manually, electronically, or even by a computer program similar to how real-life signallers control their points.

Manually controlled points can be great for a small railway when starting out. They help to keep costs down and on a small layout they will be easily accessible. When you expand your model railway to more complex track layouts and a larger base board, some points may be hard to reach. A good way to overcome that issue is to include motorised points from the beginning. They come in several forms and there are different ways to control them.

A quick search online will show there are several ways that you can control points on a model railway. The simplest of which is called a motor point.  These are usually available from most model shops and can also be found on Amazon. These motor points are usually a solenoid, with an arm that is attached to the point. Connected to a switch the solenoid will be able to move back and forth throwing the point. The motor points take up a small rectangular space and can be fitted above or below the baseboard. If you want to place them below, ensure there are no cross beams on the baseboard in the area of the points you want to control.

Another increasingly popular option is to use servo motors. Servo motors are a type of motor that is designed to be able to rotate to a precise angle and hold that position, which makes them ideal for point control. They can be controlled through an Arduino, which lends itself to automating other bits and pieces on a model railway but more on that later.

To use a servo motor in this fashion on a model railway turnout, the servo will need to be connected to the points mechanism using a mechanical linkage. A solid piece of wire can work nicely as a pushrod. Using servos can be slightly more time consuming than a point motor but the cost savings can be huge. For the cost of one point motor you could easily buy 3 servos to control 3 separate points.

Kato track and other pre ballasted track systems come with pre wired and electronic points. These points are very reliable and popular amongst railway modellers. Kato track is available in both N and O scale making this option accessible to all.

Their track simply clicks together and the points being pre wired just need to be clicked into the control unit where a separate points lever is attached, just like a real signal box!

Kato points are known for their smooth operation and accurate alignment. They are easy to install and require no additional motors. Just a small hole in the baseboard for the pre wired wire to drop through and run to the control unit.

1. Choose a method suitable for your layout. Individual motor points can be pricey and with a few points on your layout that can add up quickly to a lot. However, motor points can be smaller, more efficient and easier to control. Servos on the other hand can be much cheaper but do take up more space.

2. Consider the power requirements for the option you choose as well as any other features you may want, such as speed control or feedback.

3. Decide on the best location for the point motor to be placed. Above or below the baseboard. Are there cross beams in the way?

If above the baseboard will there be scenery that will hide the motor from sight for added realism? Can the mechanical arm easily reach the points. Remember to make it easily accessible for any repairs and maintenance.

4. Assemble the mechanical link between the motor and the point. Using thick wire to create a push rod. The push rod should be strong enough to withstand the forces from the motor but also able to transfer the motion from the motor to the point in a smooth reliable manner.

5. Mount the point motor and linkage on the model railway and secure it in place with strong fasteners. Ensure the motor and linkage are correctly aligned for the points mechanism to work as it should.

6. Wire the power source to the motor. Keep the wiring simple and tidy to ensure connections are correct and can be easily found and repaired later.

7. Test the points motors. Observe the movements of the points and make sure they are aligning fully with the running rails in both directions of travel. Make any necessary adjustments to improve their performance.