First turnout mounted

Today I finished mounting the first of 60 turnouts. I had cut out a rectangle that encased the turnout layout. Cut around the edges and lifted it out. This one turnout took some time because I had much to figure out. The motor that turns the points of the switch is mounted underneath the top 1" styrofoam . It is on a small piece of 1/2" plywood, glued to the bottom of the styro with Locktite PL 300 - a glue made for gluing styro. Then the motor is screwed into the plywood. Other glues will melt the foam. There is a small wire that goes up through the plywood and foam and through a small hole in the switch. I bent an "U" shaped hook on the top. Then, when the wire is pulled down the end to he U fits into a hole on the throw bar of the switch. Bend it 90 degrees once set and you have a nice lever for the motor to move.

I made the clumsy stand so I could work on the assembly with the motor in place.

One of several benefits of this system is that the motor exerts pressure on the points to help insure a good electrical connection. The motor will ultimately be controlled by my hand-held DCC controller. Sounds complicated but this reduces a lot of wiring under the table and allows me to turn switches from anywhere.

Maybe the best thing is that I do all of this work at my workbench sitting down - not bending over the layout.

On top of the styrofoam, I glued down cork roadbed. This will ultimately not show but provides support for the fine ballast or gravel that will cover it and go between all the railroad ties. The roadbed cork and the actual turnout is glued to the top of the cork roadbed - again with an acrylic caulk - I like Dynaflex 230. Works well, and holds very well.

Tomorrow I am going to do several more.