Tam Valley Depot

A compact and versatile ready-to-run switch machine.

Arduino users - The SwitchWright Servo decoder uses 5 volts and can be powered directly from an Arduino.

SwitchWright - Servo-based switch machine.  Compact, versatile and powerful, the SwitchWright is a simple and easy to under the table switch machine.  Complete with DCC and a DPDT relay for powering the frog and other accessories.  Can be controlled with a ready-to-mount fascia controller with indicator LEDs or use a toggle switch.  Control panels are simple with our plug-in controller - no soldering needed.

Want DCC control?  A builtin DCC stationary decoder allows you to use DCC, a pushbutton or both.

Multiple Controllers?  Just use a Y cord and you can add a second controller.  A second Y cord and you can have 3 controllers.

Aruduino fans will find this works nicely for them.  It uses a 5volt power supply.  While you can easily drive servos with an Arduino this board allows you to seperate all the complex code of running a servo, setting the positions and activating a rely from the rest of your code.  All you need is a simple Digitalwrite statement and a single output from the Arduino. Another advantage is that the Switchwright can prevent servo buxxing by turning off the servo and restarting when needed.  This function requires special hardware not normally available on an Arduino.

Crossover and passing sidings with single button control?  You can use a Y cord to add a slave machine that will move in parallel so you can move two turnouts with one button.   Ideal for controlling crossovers and passing sidings.  Double crossover?  Just add 3 more slaves with Y cords and all 4 points of a double crossover can be controlled with one pushbutton.

Based on an R?C servo the SwitchWright is only 1.5” tall and 2” wide with a 3” actuating wire. Parts are laser cut by Monster Model Works.

This is a video showing how to mount the SwitchWright machine.

A kit for making up your own Switchwright machines.  Includes everything you need to make up your own switch machine including a Red/Green Fascia controller, servo with hardware, mounting bracket, electronics board, 3" actuating wire, the needed screws and double-sided tape.

Just the bare board for making up your own machines.  The board includes the servo drive circuitry with builtin DCC decoder and a DPDT relay. To make a complete turnout installation you will need: a servo and some sort of mount; a fascia controller or a toggle switch; a power supply; and some jumpers for setting the options.

Just the bare board for making up your own machines.  The board includes the servo drive circuitry but leaves off the DCC decoder and the relay. To make a complete turnout installation you will need: a servo and some sort of mount; a fascia controller or a toggle switch; a power supply; and some jumpers for setting the options.

Here is how you can use a SwitchWright to drive a second slave unit (made up from SRV002 and SWR001 on the Servos & Accessories page) and power a crossover.  Press a single button or issue a single DCC command to run both turnouts of the crossover at once.

5 Volt 4 Amp Power Supply

The ideal power supply for the SwitchWright, this unit is well-regulated and current protected. The unit has a barrel connector that fits the adapter below or you can cut it off and strip the wires. It can support about 30 SwitchWright switch machines. 115V (US) input only (not suitable for 230V).

 DPS005   $11.95 USD

Power Jack to Screw Terminal Adapter

This adapter mates with the above two power supplies to make them easy to hook up to wires using the screw terminals. Jack size is 5.5/2.1 mm. Plus and minus terminals are marked. Price is for one adapter - picture shows two to illustrate both ends.

JCK001   $1.50 USD

5 Volt 2 Amp DC to DC Converter SwitchWright Power Board

If you aready have a DC accessory power bus and want to run SwitchWrights you can use this board to down-shift the DC voltage to 5V with a high efficiency.  Whereas a 7805 regulator is only 40% efficent converting 12V to 5V, this board is 80-90% efficient.  This puts a smaller load on the accessory bus for each SwitchWright added. The board will run 20-25 SwitchWrights and has 8 output positions (multiple SwitchWrights can be connected to each position). The bottom of this board acts as a heatsink so it should be elevated a small amount to form an air gap.

 SPS001   $14.95 USD

Extra Programming Jumpers (Shunts) (Set of 10)

Most of our boards come with enough jumpers for normal use.  However, these little guys have a way of disappearing and so customers often need more so we are now offering this small 10-pack for your convenience.

 JMP001   $2.95 USD

(Set of 10)

Y extension
The Y extension can be used with the fascia controllers to provide two control points for one switch.  

12" Y-cord
Y cables are used to attach two or more fascia controllers to one output.  Pressing the button on either controller will throw the turnout and the LEDS on both units will change to indicate the direction.