This is completely OT but I'm planning on using a PIC to control the motor
(excuses excuses ;).

I guess the best way to explain what I'm trying to do is to explain the
application. This is for a HO scale engine shed for model trains. The shed
has 6 pairs of doors and I want to use a single stepper motor (one I have
from an old floppy drive) to open and close all six.

Really all I want is 6 mechanical control arms that have a linear motion of
about 1 cm each. I was thinking of a mechanism with a single motor and
solenoid. With the solenoid activated, the stepper motor can select the 1 ~
6 door to open and close. With the solenoid off, the motor gets engaged to
the doors of the selected shed and opens/closes them.

I'm open to other ideas as well. Would like to keep the motion of the doors
as prototypical as possible. Anyone knows of any mechanical assemblies like
this?

It may be cheaper to a motor per door. I was just looking thru a catalog
that had 5V toy motors for $0.50 each.

Thanks,

Shahid