Garden Railway Forum

I have been using three position switches since I first began building 16mm stock for my garden railway. Where I got the idea from I have no idea but I usually purchase from Component Shop (other suppliers are available). Single pole switches are available in the toggle range, but I'm unsure whether slide switches are made that way too....

That certainly does look like a very successful build. Glad you got the wheels sorted. I've not yet been brave enough to try 3D printed wheels on any of my loco builds. This gives me hope.

Rik

The switch used in this instance is particularly small and has been in my 'this'll come in useful some day' box for many years.

For comparison here is one next to a similar one to that in Peter's post:-
it had to be glued to the aluminium plate since the shank is not threaded,

Phil

Thanks for the comparison Phil, the toggle switch, which I prefer, has a body only 13mm long by 6.5mm wide. The arm is 10mm long but can be shortened if required. Both types have their uses dependent on location, but each provide a centre off position.

Thanks for the switch info chaps. I've already got a stock of centre off switches - in fact I have removed them from locos I've converted from manual (where I had them forward/off/reverse) to R/C. Although I realised I didn't need to do that, it didn't occur to me it would actually be better if I didn't!

Heidi is very nearly finished, lacking name and cabside number plates and a crew. A few drops of oil sorted the minor squeaks and she is now running very well.

Posing here this afternoon:-
Phil

gilfachphil wrote: Sun Oct 11, 2026 3:26 pm Heidi is very nearly finished, lacking name and cabside number plates and a crew. A few drops of oil sorted the minor squeaks and she is now running very well.

Posing here this afternoon:-

IMG_6176.jpeg

Phil

Rik

Heidi now has name and number plates and is seen here with a train on Sunday:-



Phil