Manual FasTrack switch stand replacement(new, low profile switch knob available).

If you are interested in buying one of these switch signals you can order them here.

www.shapeways.com/fragments/product?spin=BXKP77B6Y

These are stainless steel and indestructible. I added a little craft paint and I am ready for my toddlers to use it.

One of the few times it's okay to say your product is tested on children.

Can the littles pull them out?

A Modest Proposal:

Patent the switch control lever and license it to Lionel as the solution to an initial design fault with the Fastrack manual switches.

Mike

I didn't ask them to pull it out but my 1 year-old tried and couldn't. It is a press fit into the gear in the switch. I'm sure if I asked my almost four year-old to pull it out that he could, but it would take some effort.

Well, I stand corrected. My almost 4 year-old can't take it off.

Mike H Mottler posted:

A Modest Proposal:

Patent the switch control lever and license it to Lionel as the solution to an initial design fault with the Fastrack manual switches.

Mike

 

I don't know if they would be interested. I mean they sell replacement parts, but they're just as flimsy as the original switch stand. I saw an old thread where someone bought 10 replacement switch stands. That's a little ridiculous.

You should be given a medal for solving this...  I've the exact same problem!

I have an idea for a version that would be bolted down, but that's still a ways out.

Tom M posted:

Now I'm sure these stands are okay on a layout, but for us carpet central modelers and those with grabby kids and grandkids. There needs to be a better solution.

Yes, and until something even better comes along, this replacement is surely it.  Good work, Tom.

The press fit sounds good - better than the small indicator that breaks off. The grandkids, 4 & 5, have three on their layout. Two are broken, but the handle is still there and one is surviving. I think they learn not to man handle it, but stuff still gets dropped on it.

You little one went right to turning it - already knows what to do - he seemed surprised when you asked him to pull it off.

Nice job on the part - I think I'll try a few - Thank You!

Ok one issue... looks really painful to step on.  Maybe a round-head version ... wait, you mean you aren't supposed to walk on the track?   Har... good one.

Severn posted:

Ok one issue... looks really painful to step on.  Maybe a round-head version ... wait, you mean you aren't supposed to walk on the track?   Har... good one.

I was actually thinking about a knob. Would anyone buy a simple knob switch?

I just ordered for of these "flag" style switch flippers ... and would take four "round heads" if you made them.   Just pick the ones I like best I guess.  (I assume about the same cost).

BTW that reminds me somehow -- I have this 3D model of european engine someone sent me.  It's in autocad format I think.   Can I just upload that to shapeways and get a cost estimate in stainless?

I best it would be several hundred...  still... kind cool if they could print it.

Severn posted:

I just ordered for of these "flag" style switch flippers ... and would take four "round heads" if you made them.   Just pick the ones I like best I guess.  (I assume about the same cost).

BTW that reminds me somehow -- I have this 3D model of european engine someone sent me.  It's in autocad format I think.   Can I just upload that to shapeways and get a cost estimate in stainless?

I best it would be several hundred...  still... kind cool if they could print it.

 

I'm going to start working on a knob switch ASAP. Shapeways has certain file type requirements for uploading. They also have many mediums available to render models including many types of plastics and steels. They also have silver, brass, bronze, gold, aluminum, and believe it or not, sandstone.

For my model of a White Pass shovelnose diesel I paid about $125 to print in a durable plastic.

To print it in high detail plastic Shapeways asked for about $400. I said thanks but no thanks. This model in stainless steel? About $800!

That's clever.  I just took all my broken stands off and switch them by hand by flipping the points.  also makes them safe to walk on.  Already have too many LEGOs around here to torment my feet.

I followed your thread on the custom engine with interest.  However I see $800 will not pass the "home front" test but I still have this irrational thing about metal shells.  I don't own any but I rather like idea of it...

What I should do is make an account there, upload the files for that engine I do have and ... see what they say for costs.   That's ought to be easy!

As for lego -- oh the worst on bare feet!  Also wooden train stuff is not so good either.   Interestingly fastrack seems a pleasure since my kids walk all over the tracks all the time... even though I've said not to do that 100s of times! 

This is sort of related... you folks seem to have kids & legos got me to thinking.  We were in legoland recently and I was really taken with a large scale "city scape" scene they'd made out legos.

Perfect for the carpet layout which comes and goes I thought!

Then I poked around the web and it seems there's an interest in this kind of thing -- folks recreating large building with legos, and stuff -- kind cool.

But alas, the prices to do it are way out there... so another idea hits the dust bin.

They do have a castable wax medium available if you could find someone who knows how to cast metal.