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| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 12:06 #131222 | |
danners430
135 posts |
Afternoon all, A side-project I've had going on for quite some time has been to re-create a (somewhat) modern NX panel to accompany a model railway layout to exhibitions, essentially to act as an educational tool for people who've never experienced signalling before. However, the problem I've come across repeatedly has been obtaining the push-pull buttons which are used by Network Rail - finding buttons with a push action is easy as, however the pull (cancel) action seems to be rarer than hen's teeth... So far the only lead I've got is a pair of panel manufacturers (Henry Williams & TEW Engineering), and a pair of EAO Swisstac 792 buttons... the latter however seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth, as I can't seem to find a supply of them anywhere! Does anyone have any further leads I could explore, or know of somewhere I could obtain some? Currently I'm looking for around 20, possibly a few more. Cheers in advance! Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 13:26 #131224 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
In all honesty you'll struggle to find a supply of "Network Rail" style ones, and if you do manage to find any, they're not particularly cheap.
"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply The following user said thank you: danners430 |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 14:23 #131225 | |
jc92
3687 posts 
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As a workaround you could model a turn and push panel instead?
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 16:18 #131228 | |
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danners430
135 posts |
jc92 in post 131225 said:As a workaround you could model a turn and push panel instead?I could, aye... it's just push-pull was much more common in Scotland than turn/push, and to my mind the former makes more logical sense - since it's to be operated by the public (it's a model, it'll be fine...), the more logical the better I reckon. If I had to go down that route, I personally think it would be easier to operate to have a push/pull panel, albeit without the pull part - instead having a separate cancel button which is pressed when you wish to cancel a route. May just be the way I think though! Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 16:21 #131229 | |
bill_gensheet
1413 posts |
Not knowing the NR setup, is the switch action momentary or latched ? Looks a fair number of latching push-pull in the emergency interlock design styles. For momentary could you have the button action separate (ie made to suit) and use microswitches or Reed/Hall sensing to detect the push and pull movements ? Bill Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 17:22 #131231 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
Either the manufacturers themselves, or the NR supplies company, the name of which escapes me. I believe the latter is more for the rail industry but I know people who have bought things for personal use - albeit a long time ago! Either way, as Karl says, likely to be expensive. They're not latched, Bill, at least the most common type of push/pull button. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 17:54 #131234 | |
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danners430
135 posts |
Bit of an update, found that Unipart Rail have them - not in stock, but able to get them relatively easily. The metal knob style buttons are custom manufactured in the US, so they're out of the question - the others, however, are seemingly more readily available... fingers crossed Unipart aren't too expensive! Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 18:11 #131235 | |
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GeoffM
6376 posts |
GeoffM in post 131231 said:NR supplies company, the name of which escapes medanners430 in post 131234 said: Unipart RailThat's the one! SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 02/09/2020 at 19:57 #131238 | |
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Ron_J
331 posts |
GeoffM in post 131231 said:Either the manufacturers themselves, or the NR supplies company, the name of which escapes me. I believe the latter is more for the rail industry but I know people who have bought things for personal use - albeit a long time ago!TEW use push to make pull to break buttons made by Swisstac. Very, very pricey. Unipart Rail have a minimum order value for private customers but with the eye-watering prices they’ll charge for buttons that won’t be an issue. [Edited to add that I just read the first post properly and now realise that he already has all this info, sorry) Last edited: 02/09/2020 at 20:02 by Ron_J Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 03/09/2020 at 15:19 #131265 | |
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danners430
135 posts |
Ron_J in post 131238 said:Very, very pricey. Unipart Rail have a minimum order value for private customers but with the eye-watering prices they’ll charge for buttons that won’t be an issue.Yeah, that's the part that worries me... I'll have to see just how pricey they end up being, worst case I've had a friend approach me with potentially a design for a DIY solution... Things are moving all of a sudden! Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 03/09/2020 at 16:22 #131268 | |
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bill_gensheet
1413 posts |
Farnell seem to be having a clear out of the Otto LP9 lit buttons at £5. Nothing like a panel though, looks like you need clear rod for those. https://uk.farnell.com/otto-controls/lp9-41231h22/pb-switch-illum-spdt-5a-115v-amber/dp/2484471 Also for anyone looking, just becaiuse the picture is orange does not mean the button is. Mostly it is black and some green buttons, various colour LED inside. Bill Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 04/09/2020 at 12:37 #131283 | |
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danners430
135 posts |
bill_gensheet in post 131268 said:Farnell seem to be having a clear out of the Otto LP9 lit buttons at £5. Nothing like a panel though, looks like you need clear rod for those.Aye, those are simple pushbutton switches - they're ubiquitous and available anywhere... it's the PULL action that seems to be an absolute 'mare to find! Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 04/09/2020 at 17:25 #131293 | |
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bill_gensheet
1413 posts |
danners430 in post 131283 said:I did not mean to imply otherwise. However as you were thinking of having separated reset, these will feel good, last forever and do light up. (OK not quite forever if you put it in an oven at 250°C for 15 minutes as you do ..... the button goes a bit drippy) Bill Last edited: 04/09/2020 at 17:26 by bill_gensheet Reason: None given Log in to reply The following user said thank you: danners430 |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 09/04/2022 at 11:55 #146087 | |
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jamespetts
2 posts |
May I ask whether you ever found these in the end?
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| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 09/04/2022 at 17:15 #146088 | |
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The Real Pieman
2 posts |
Try Swisstac. I bought some for the panel on an old model railway. They were very expensive though...
Last edited: 09/04/2022 at 17:15 by The Real Pieman Reason: None given Log in to reply |
| Obtaining NX push-pull switches 10/04/2022 at 11:20 #146090 | |
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jamespetts
2 posts |
The Real Pieman in post 146088 said:Try Swisstac. I bought some for the panel on an old model railway. They were very expensive though...I think that the trouble is that the Swisstac switches do not seem to be available anywhere. Log in to reply |