Among the standards required when constructing a Free-mo module are the following:
S4.10 All turnout frogs shall be powered. Turnouts shall not
rely on switch points to power the frog.
S5.2 For a given turnout, turnout controls must be on all
sides of the module or module section, excepting any endplates.
RP5.2.1 Turnout controls should be located on the fascia, and
not on the horizontal or vertical surfaces of your scenery.
On my first-ever module I violated both S5.2 and RP5.2.1 in
that I used Caboose Hobbies ground throws which are typically mounted on the
horizontal surface of the module, immediately beside the switch points of the
turnout. This approach was simple and works fine.
I have decided that I should follow the standards for
all subsequent modules not only because the "hand of God" coming down
among the scenery and rolling stock can lead to damage to scenery or derailment
of rolling stock but also because it isn't very prototypical.
I decided on BullFrog Manual Turnout Control components
from FastTracks. These are easy to assemble and are available with an adapter kit
which allows for the turnouts to be operated on both sides of a Free-mo module. In addition, provision is made so the frog can be powered, in compliance with S4.10 above (which is a practice that is highly recommended for more reliable electrical contact, regardless of the standard).
At each end of the control rod, the casing of which is shown
in red above, there is mounted a wooden disk that serves as the knob used to
push or pull the switch points to the desired position. I designed boxes that
could be mounted from behind the Free-mo module fascia, with the outer edge
flush with the side. I printed these with my 3D printer using black PLA plastic
filament so the box would blend in with the black fascia colour.
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| These are three of the 3D printed boxes shown just before being mounted from behind the fascia. The two on the left are mounted above one another in the same opening because they operate turnouts located very close to one another. |
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| Here you can see the black boxes mounted on each side of module, with the control cables encased in red leading to the Bullfrogs under the turnouts. |
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| The lighting could have been better when I took this picture, however aside from the round disk knob (pained grey) everything else in the picture is black so it is hard to get good contrast. The knob on the right is pulled out while the one on the left is pushed in. |