Non-contact method to detect model railroad turnout points position

A model railroad turnout detecting apparatus comprising:

• at least two switch points movable between at least two stock rails;
• at least one throw bar connecting the switch points and extending in a direction crossing the switch points;
• a non-contact sensor comprising:
• at least one magnet component mounted on the throw bar;
• and
• at least two Hall-Effect switch components positioned at an effective distance from the magnet component;
• and
• a turnout machine connected to a first end of the throw bar;
• wherein,
• the turnout machine is configured to move the throw bar together with the switch points to a pre-determined position,
• the non-contact sensor is configured to detect an actual position of the throw bar and the switch points responsive to a proximity of the at least one magnet component to at least one of the at least two Hall-Effect switch components, and
• the non-contact sensor is configured to generate a feedback signal reflecting the detected actual position of the throw bar and the switch points.

A method of detecting model railroad turnout points position comprising:

• moving at least one throw bar together with at least two switch points to a pre-determined position by a turnout machine, wherein the throw bar connects free ends of the at least two switch points and extends in a direction crossing the switch points, and the turnout machine is connected to a first end of the throw bar;
• detecting an actual position of the throw bar and the switch points by a non-contact sensor, wherein the non-contact sensor comprises at least one magnet component mounted on the throw bar and at least two Hall-Effect switch components positioned in an effective distance from the at least one magnet component;
• and
• generating a feedback signal reflecting the detected actual position of the throw bar and the switch points.