Installing homemade switch machines

 With the track and turnouts laid out I was able to drill the holes where the switch wire would come thru the base. The biggest issue was the depth of the layout. All the turnouts on the main level are hand thrown with the switch next to the turnout, so that was an easy install as the throw wire is short, level and exposed. The upper level switches needed to go thru about 3.5" of foam and particle board.

I had produced a couple of designs, but ended up going with some small SPDT switches I got on Amazon. The throw distance was a slightly longer than the rail travel. I used a .22 wire for the throw and made a coil so the actual wire movement was about 1.5" at the switch end. A sliding piece of wood moved both the SPDT switch and the switching wire. 

The SPDT's are inserted into the sliding piece of wood so they are removable if need be. 

The sliding piece of wood has a clothes hangar wire push rod attached to activate it, and the push rod goes thru the fascia and is glued into a knob. I added a top plate with screw holes, then positioned the switch underneath the layout, and temporarily secured it with duct tape. 

I added the screws leaving the duct tape in place ( no need to remove it) and they went in pretty easily.

So far they work great. I think they may last for awhile. As they wear out I can remove the SPDT and make a new one. I think I would change the material from craft wood to styrene or plastic if I make replacements.

Excess wire was cut after the switch is installed.

Spur overpass progress

                                                                THE INSPIRATION:

I found this on bridge hunters website when I was searching Art Deco and American Modern architecture. I have 2 Frisco B30-7's that were the newest locos on my last layout and I thought this resource was a great find. 

Since it was a short overpass I would be able to incorporate it into the overpass on the spur. I made it out of layers of foam core which took a lot more thought and cutting than I anticipated. The vertical lines were done with the smallest ball sculpting tool I had. 

The ball tool leaves the impression in the foam, but there is no erasing or repair, its a one shot to get it right. I made numerous practice attempts at the FRISCO lettering on pieces of foam core, and got some really good replication, but couldn't get it small enough for N scale, so unfortunately it will remain un-named for now. 

The bridge is painted and weathered.

This is the background cutout that I will be using to complete the scene. A street scene from Leavenworth KS. I will need to make sure when painting the backdrop to match the level of the trees on the hill.