The switches you've all been wanting...



You've been asking for it, so here it is: the R104 switch track project! If you aren't sure what this is or why it's needed, here's a short backstory:

The LEGO® Group only ever has produced R40 (40-stud radius) curves and switches for their trains. While good for kitchen table sized layouts, these are awkward and difficult for larger, more realistic trains to navigate. This prompted us to produce wider radius curves, such as this R120 curve:

R120 Curve (top)

R120 Curve (bottom)

All of the studs on our tracks are marked with our "BT" logo, making them easy to identify while still blending in seamlessly with the standard LEGO® tracks. We also mark the underside of our tracks to help you identify them:

Typical Track Markings

We manufacture right here in the USA; nothing is made overseas. While more expensive, this gives us much better control over our manufacturing process and enables us to experiment with different grades of material and address any issues very quickly.

Our tracks have proven very popular, but they've also triggered many requests for similar wide-radius switches. As such, we have spent the last three years developing the R104 size switches, and it's time to get the tooling funded.

Why R104 and not something else? Well, since working within the LEGO® grid requires tracks to line up properly, only certain switch sizes work when setting them up in a crossover arrangement. R104 is the most logical size that mathematically works.

R104 Left Switch

Note that we've also made some improvements to the standard LEGO® design. First and foremost, we've eliminated the odd shape of the turnout to facilitate crossovers and tangential curves. This does require the inclusion of some different size curves, but overall the shape is much more adaptable to different layouts.

R104 Siding Layout

R104 Turnout Layout

The next major change we've made is to the switch stand. The LEGO® version is difficult to automate, and typically requires some bulky mechanism to run. There is also the issue of it occasionally being in the way for very long train cars, where they can inadvertently strike the little yellow lever and break it off, or worse, cause derailment.

Our solution is a removable, rotational stand that can be placed on either side of the switch. A 1/4 turn of the mechanism will switch the tracks. The mechanism is indexed as well, locking the switch with an audible and tactile click.

The switch stand has also been fitted with an axle hole for easy automation. The axle hole goes all the way through the body, so a motor could be mounted beneath the table to completely hide the drive mechanism.

Switch Stand Mechanism

Underside of Switch Stand Mechanism

There are 3 positions to the switch stand: Left, Center, and Right. This allows you to always be able to turn the switch to the direction you want to go; i.e., left for left, right for right, no matter which side of the track the switch stand is on.

Other than this, the switches behave and function the same. The point is spring-loaded, allowing a train to travel through a closed switch. The connections on the ends are standard track connections, and there will be anti-studs and tubes where possible to help facilitate ballasting.

So what's included here?

Each switch is part of a switch kit, broken down between left and right kits. Each kit will include either a left or right switch, a switch stand, a 1/2 length (8-stud long) straight, and two special R104 curve segments, as detailed in the section above.

Complete R104 Left Switch Kit

Note that these tracks are only for use with Power Functions or battery-operated trains. 9V trains can roll over them, but the tracks will not supply power to the 9V motors.