I'm thinking too much and not doing enough. I decided I was unhappy with the trackplan as I didn't feel it allowed enough switching. So I revised it. I gained 3 switching locations. I lost any space for a structure. I re-revised and came up with something but I'm not sure I'm satisfied. I'll post the original and then the revision as it stands now. Looking for opinions. Both ideas are track packed and that's what I want. Downtown urban switching. However I do need room for some structures.

My plan is to use servos to move the points of my turnouts. To that end I have ordered a bunch of servos from HobbyKing. I chose one that was recommended by MERG (Model Electronics Railway Group) to use with their kit form of the Megapoints controller. The Megapoints board is a commercial product that was offered to MERG to be made into a DIY electronics kit at a reduced price. I ordered the kit and built it with no problems. It requires a 12v DC source at a minimum of 2A. I am using a switching power supply for that from China. 

OK. so between last night and today I built the first turnout for the layout. I used a Fast Tracks filing jig for the frog and points and built the turnout over a paper template and PC board ties. I found the filing went very quickly with the jig held in a vice mounted to my workbench (desk). The frog turned out very well, smooth sailing through that. The points are another matter. While the filing of the points is a no-brainer with the jig, filing the stock rails to accommodate the point rails didn't go so well.

I had an idea and acted on it, now am wondering if I did the right thing. My turnout throwing system needs only a SPST switch. I decided on a rectangle rocker switch as shown here:

Then realized that might not look right on a control panel. Here is a visual mockup:

I found this insurance map of Montreal in 1950. The street track with the spur running into the Northern Electric building is what I am after. The scale is 1"=800' I'm trying to figure out what number turnout that would be and what the radius might be. Any one have suggestions or hints?

GregW66

I had posted and it was discussed a track plan for the West Haven that would include an around the walls concept not unlike the Heart of Georgia layout that was inspired by one of Trevor Marshall's achievable layouts he describes on his blog. As the planning progressed, I massaged it into something I didn't want to build. It lacked the portability I wanted and exceeded my thoughts of simplicity. 

I can't keep my excitement contained. 

I just read the September Model Railroader and there was an excellent article on building a operational layout in less than 48 hours. It is a small switching layout. Then I download and opened the September MRH and read Publisher's Musings about arranging a couple of TOMA modules in a 4x10 arrangement. Couple this (pun intended) to the reminiscing article on one man's 4x10 layout (http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/30616) and I am getting excited. I've always had a place in my heart for the 4x8ish layout.

I've been spending a lot of time over at MERG (Model Electronics Railway Group) and they have some fantastic ideas on controlling turnouts or as they call them "points". I had initially decided to use Caboose Industries Ground Throws and Tam Valley frog juicers. I do know I want juiced frogs. 

I've settled on Peco Code 83 flex for my track and hand laid turnouts using PC board ties and constructing over a template. I've made a few in code 100 successfully. I have no Code 83 rail on hand and am assuming I can simply strip the rail from the Peco Code 83 flex to hand lay the turnouts. 

Anyone see any reason why that wouldn't work? Do I need to buy Code 83 rail separately?

GregW66

In a recent topic, I posed some questions on the size of ties for the handlaid portion of the layout. (http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/27181) All my turnouts will be built on PC board ties. This is for economic and practical purposes. I find handlaid turnouts to be superior in operation to commercial turnouts, though I have no experience with Walthers or Micro Engineering turnouts.