The elegant switch stands with standards and
lamps (eitherLEDs or glass jewels) do not suffer
operations well, if they are having the handle upon
them used to throw their switches manually.
On the other hand, if they are simply attached
correctly to a turnout that is powered electrically, pneumatically, or via choke cables (e.g. piano
wire and Eschelman links) they make exact,
:thumb:, representative models.
If you are going to throw the switch manually,
then sturdy out of scale metal ground throws
are the way to go. Since there is but one scale
for fingers, anything smaller than 'O' gauge
trackwork is going to be worked with metal,
oversized, and usually unlamped, fixtures.
I have seen portions of what, I believe, were
Century Metal Product's dwarfs mounted unto
those big weighted handled units. Lots of work,
for small gain in appearance in my view, - but
that is why there are other opinions.
Caboose industry's low stands, that have a metal
rod with lead ball at end of the handles work well..
... but are short on appearance.
You might consider some more elegant appearing combination of low switch light riding along
on a remotely thrown switch panel.
Take the control rods and sections of your: yard
ladder; junction and interchange yard switches,
or a similar track/turnout concentration and
make a cassette type unit for the controls that,
in effect, plugs into the layout fascia.
Use ModraTec switch box panels , if you wish
a good appearaance and have a yard panel
with centrally located control handles.
Or choose some cheaper way to do the same.
In any case, the option of using low ground
throws mounted on the turnouts means sacrificing
appearance, if reliability is the guidon.
It should be, since crappy operations make
appearance beside the point; on all but non-
operating dioramas.
Another factor, in my experience, is that
reaching in and throwing the turnouts can often
upset cars, and even damage scenic items
that may be in the area.
Good-Luck,
Peter Boylan