Track switch and controller

A switching apparatus for a model railroad, comprising:

• a housing having a drive compartment;
• a motor positioned in the drive compartment in the housing;
• a movable actuating element positioned entirely within the housing;
• a drive connection between the motor and the movable actuating element to move the movable actuating element between a first position and a second position, at least a portion of the movable actuating element being positioned in a protective compartment adjacent to said drive compartment,
• whereby the movable actuating element is protected from outside forces;
• a track switch for directing toy trains to a selected one of a plurality of tracks;
• and
• a connector between the movable actuating element and the track switch, whereby movement of the movable actuating element between its first and second positions causes movement of the track switch between a first switch position in which a first selected one of a plurality of tracks is selected and a second switch position in which a second selected one of a plurality of tracks is selected.