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11 In Stock
We can ship the BF-0002 immediately. If you order more than what we have available, we will hold your order and add additional units required to our production queue. The lead time for this product is shown above.
PRICE : $10.00
11 in stock
One of the least expensive manual turnout controls available anywhere, the BullFrog not only offers a low-cost manual turnout control solution but includes all of the same features you come to expect from a turnout control plus more.
Our low-cost Bullfrog Switch Machine kits feature...
- Integrated Control Rod Mount - You have to purchase this separately for other turnout controls
- Automatic Power Routing - Integrated SPDT switch with the option of adding an additional switch for DPDT
- Very Small Mounting Footprint - One of the smallest under-mount footprints available
- Solid, Robust Operation - Thoroughly tested to over 100,000 operations!
- Full Selection of Supporting Products - Control rods, joiner kits, rod hangers, panel knobs, etc.
- Will work through 2 inches of foam - Using Styrofoam for the base of your layout? Bullfrogs work fine through up to 2" of material.
The BullFrog comes unassembled and includes all of the parts you need to build a complete unit, including:
- All pre-cut wood pieces
- Locking hardware
- Control wire
- 1 SPDT microswitch
- All screws, nuts & washers
To assemble the switch, you will need white glue. A modeling knife, fine sandpaper, #2 Philips screwdriver, and about 15 minutes. (The first one may take you a bit longer.)
The BullFrog is easy to mount under your layout with just two screws and will work with all scales from Z to O. The control wire offers high torque and a long throw, making it easy to mount the control with minimal alignment problems.
Use your own control rod, or purchase the control rod kit to connect the BullFrog to your control panel using a nylon control rod that includes a Z bend connector and decorative knob. We also offer several additional accessories.
Will the BullFrog fit under your layout?
Download the detailed dimensional diagram of an assembled BullFrog to be sure.
The control rod (the rod that connects the BullFrog to your control panel) is sold separately and can be ordered from here.
The movement of the control rod is approximately 1".
Need to mount the BullFrog in a really tight spot?
Check out the TadPole. The TadPole eliminates the control rod mount on the BullFrog. It can even go around corners!
If you are ordering several BullFrogs, we recommend you order a couple of Tadpoles for those really tight spots on your layout.
Need to fit a BullFrog switch machine into a really, really tight spot?
Try our SideWinder Horizontal BullFrog Switch Machine Mounting Kit. Fit a BullFrog Switch Machine into as little as 1-1/8"!
22 reviews for BullFrog Manual Turnout Control Kit
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The BullFrog Switch Machine and Accessories
This all-in-one document provides complete instructions for assembling the BullFrog Manual Turnout Control, TadPole Remote Control Rod Mount, Control Rod Hanger/Joiner, Control Rod Kit, The SideWinder, and Decorative Knobs.
The BullFrog Manual Turnout Control
One of the least expensive manual turnout controls available anywhere; the BullFrog offers all the same features as more expensive turnout controls. It includes a full selection of options and accessories. This overview video explains how the system works.
Building The BullFrog Turnout Control - Part 1
Here Tim demonstrates how to put together the unassembled version of the BullFrog.
Building The BullFrog Turnout Control - Part 2
Here Tim demonstrates how to put together the unassembled version of the BullFrog.
Building The BullFrog Turnout Control - Part 3
Here Tim demonstrates how to put together the unassembled version of the BullFrog.
BullFrog Control Rod Kit
The control rod kit includes all of the parts that you will need to connect the BullFrog manual turnout control to your front panel.
BullFrog Dual Actuator For Free-Mo Layouts
The BullFrog Dual Actuator makes it easy to switch the BullFrog switch machine from both sides of your layout. Designed for Free-mo modules, the actuator can be used on any type of layout where you need to control the BullFrog manual turnout control from two locations.
BullFrog Manual Turnout Control - Stress Testing
Before releasing our new BullFrog manual turnout control, we built this test jig to stress test the design. After 100,000 cycles, the BullFrog showed no significant signs of wear. To simulate switching stress, we restrained the switch wire, which broke after 10,000 cycles, while the BullFrog was no worse for wear.
Fast Tracks Video Channel
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Fast Tracks Knowledge Base
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Peter Hoffman (verified owner) –
This product is an excellent alternative to electronic switch controls. The folks at Fast Tracks were very accomodating and helped me solve my problems.
John Crockford (verified owner) –
This was the first time I have used a Fast Tracks product, and I was very pleased with both the assembly and the installation of the Bullfrog turnout machine. The control rod was also a breeze to install. Now that the Bullfrog has solved one of my turnout problems, I am now finding other places to use them.
Michael Schaefer (verified owner) –
excellent product, prompt service.
David Cross (verified owner) –
I am converting from electronic turnout control to manual for a more "hands-on" feel and the Bullfrog turned out to be just what I needed. Great quality and very easy to assemble. Can't beat the price either considering the alternatives. I was even able to add an extra linkage to operate my switch stands! Great product!
Francis H. Mcarthur (verified owner) –
Simple, easy to build. Hope to make use of real soon.
Alan Mueller (verified owner) –
A quick, simple manual turnout control .
Rich Allsmiller (verified owner) –
Quality product. Fit together perfectly. Exactly what I needed.
Paul Buhrke (verified owner) –
Top notch machine, easy to assemble, highly recommend; have 35 installed and operating with about ten or so still needed.
Nick Dukellis (verified owner) –
Excellent product, beautifully crafted and simple to use. So happy with the first one that I ordered five more!
John Hinton (verified owner) –
elegant design, innexpensive, effective, easy to assemble
Bernhard Gielau (verified owner) –
The Bullfrog Turnout Control is in my opinion the best product out there for manual turnout control. It is rugget and easy to install. It takes me less than 1/2 hour to assemble one. It can be assembled as either right hand or left hand, but unless you have two switches close together it doesn't matter which one you build. It comes with a SPDT micro switch which is great for powering the frog. If you need a second pole Fast Tracks offers a micro switch with longer screws to mount it on top of the first. Even if you don't need a second pole immediately I suggest you install the second cam. It is easy to add the second switch at a later date but to add the second cam on an installed BullFrog is a bit more challenging. You will have to trim the switch wire at the bottom to clear the second cam. I use these with the BullFrog Control Rod Kit reviewed separately.
Steve Mabry (verified owner) –
Just got back into rail roading want a simple turnouts for my layout. Just keep it simple no fancy electronic for my railroad empire.
Daniel Bloomer (verified owner) –
Very clever bit of engineering, easy to assemble and works very well at a reasonable price. What more could you want?
Gary Maitland (verified owner) –
I needed an affordable manual turnout control alternative for a small switching layout and discovered the BullFrog Turnout Control during a web search. Thanks to a series of excellent YouTube videos, the assembly of my first BullFrog was straight-forward and uncomplicated and it worked flawlessly upon completion.
Peter Cosnahan (verified owner) –
These turnouts are great if you dont want to go all out with electronic ones. I used them on my last layout and needed this on on my current layout as I couldnt get the ground throw positioned in a tight space. The first one that was sent had parts missing but there was no quibbling and a replacement was sent quickly. Couldnt be happier. Thanks Fasttracks
Kenneth Hoot (verified owner) –
A very nice way to control a switch.
Howard Brandes (verified owner) –
I just put my first one together. Recommend watching the video first. It went together as described. I plan to replace to replace a lot of manual ground throws with the bullfrogs.
Geoffrey Shipton (verified owner) –
A great product! I wish I had found these sooner!
Donald Fitzpatrick (verified owner) –
My third turnout control along with the associated parts an I found assembly easy and all the parts fit well. Operation is flawless
Michael Buckelew (verified owner) –
Nearly all of my switches are hand thrown, but a wye switch was too far from the aisle for that. After looking at options, I chose the BullFrog control to do the job. It's still manual, but also remote. Clever design that went together well. Now I'm thinking about using them on the new branch line.
Edward Greeves (verified owner) –
Overall a pretty good product. Pretty easy to build (just use simple white wood glue and not too much). I have do however two specific comments:
1. The final tightness of the two screws which control the pivot section is critical. I suggest that you tighten both to where it it is hard to pivot and back each screw off a 1/4 turn. I add also add some powdered graphite as a lubricant.
2. It is absolutely essential to fully anchor each end (at the bull frog AND at the fascia) of the red outer sleeve of the control rod. The assembly instructions recommend the use of white wood glue at these two locations. My experience has been that this is sometimes insufficient - in which case the control rood will basically buckle/freeze and render the turnout inoperable. My fix has been to use 16 gauge wire clips screwed into the plywood sub base to anchor the red sleeve. When using this approach the outer red sleeve can terminate several inches short of both the bull frog and the fascia. So far this has worked flawlessly.
Bill Klope (verified owner) –
these kits assemble easily, instructions are complete. the only thing to watch out for is making certain the lever properly activates the electrical switch. some adjustment was needed on the spring ball seat to loosen it just a bit Otherwise they work well