Locking up your layout - 4
the largest and most complex model railroad can benefit from
using equipment locks. If you’re worried about taking the
plunge and locking up every switch and gate on your layout,
consider starting small. Perhaps you have a seldom-used indus-
trial spur that would benefit from having locks. As you and
your operators become more comfortable with interacting with
locked equipment during a session, you can add the procedure
and hardware to the rest of your layout.
Locks for Model Use
Adding locks to your model operations can be a straightforward
process. If you use powered switch motors on your layout, it can
be as simple as adding a locking cover over the toggle switch.
Crews would need to unlock the cover to gain access to the turn-
out control. Model Railroad Hobbyist author Lance Mindheim
6
6: Simple and inexpensive hardware is available
to add switch locks to existing turnout controls,
including locking covers for toggle switches and
hasps for push-pull rods.
MRH-Dec 2013
