Yard Wiring

Correct on all points. You need a toggle switch that is ON-OFF with one set of contacts. It should be rated at a minimum of 10 amps. There are hundreds of styles to chose from.  A Google search for "SPST toggle" will get you there. (SPST stands for single pole, single throw).

Stay away from the ones designed for automotive use, and those with a built-in pilot lamp. Do a search on this forum for "pilot lamps" and "toggle switches" for the reasons why.

On ebay, you can find them in quantity for cheap.  See this one, for instance:

Item #231158632313   $1.66 each, and free shipping.

Arthur - thanx for your help and advice - I did look at the one you suggested on e bay but noticed that it was rated for 6 amps not 10 amps.

Paul

Bruce - ????? not sure what the picture represents.

Paul,

I just looked at those and they were 25 amp? Did you possibly get the wrong link?

This is what I got when looking at them Arthur's Toggle Switches

Was thinking about getting some myself. What am I missing here?

I used 6 amp toggles for yard, engine, and siding tracks without any problems. If you have short sidings, or engine tracks, you won't often (if ever) draw 10 amps from a 3' engine track. Even 2 or 3 engines sitting on a track idling with smoke & lights won't pull 10 amps. Those toggles are fine for that purpose.

M101 toggle under $1 here    scroll up to the single pole toggles.

Arthur - the first time I "copied and pasted" the # on e bay search link it came up differently.  I just tried it again and got the correct switch (25 amp).

Thanx again, Arthur!

Regards,

Paul

Alternate control system for track power.

Here is an example of a track (block) control system that combines toggle switches and DCS AIU control.

I use high current relays for controlling track power.  The attached photos show the custom designed components. This system allows the use of either the DCS controller or the block control box to power the tracks.