Your layout looks absolutely amazing. The weed-covered track in particular is simply stunning, and so accurately captures the look of the branch in the photos I've seen. Just beautiful!

Karl

Hi Karl:

Thanks for the nice words - I'm glad you enjoyed the tour.

I still have a lot of work to do on the grass (and of course, scenery beyond the roadbed) but so far, so good!

- Trevor

Great photos and story. Look forward to more.

I loved the story and it looks like it's going to be a great layout to boot but near the end you mentioned

" I’ll admit that I unlocked all switches before running the session"

I'm assuming that this is part of the story... but now you've got me thinking that perhaps there is something more to this. Turning an "S" scale key in a switch stand lock not withstanding, do you have some system in place to actually "lock" your switches?

Just curious.

Hi Joe:

Thanks for the nice words - glad you enjoyed the tour.

- Trevor

Hi Rick:

GOOD question! And I have an answer...

I use garden scale (1:24) switch stands to control my turnouts. And I've added a chain that can be locked across the handle of the stand to prevent it from lifting.

I've written about the switch stands, with photos and even a video, on my layout blog. Here's the URL for the "turnout control" category:

http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s/?cat=60

Enjoy!

- Trevor

Thanks Trevor.

A novel idea indeed. I'd imagine that you really get a feeling of "bending the iron" with that method. I've often thought of something similar, but my isles are narrow enough as it is and I'll bet one of those switch stands could do a good job of taking the skin off an elbow!

I too use RC aircraft control cables. they're great. Simple and robust. I use a regular household three way switch to control my turnouts. The clevis is bent out a bit and snaps right into a hole drilled into the switch toggle and is connected to the cable via a zigzag bent wire that acts as a spring. The 3-way switch acts as both the mechanical throw and it flip flops the power to the frog. The toggles are upside down under the edge of the fascia so as not to get hooked up on anything.

My system is simple but, I'll bet, no where near as fun as yours.

Hi Rick:

My buddy Chris Abbott and I were more concerned about the damage to the switch stand, which is why we've mounted them with temporary backing panels pending the addition of fascia. I'm pleased to report they've survived rather well - no issues with errant elbows.

And you're right: there is something immensely satisfying about throwing a switch on this layout. The switch stand handles lock into the base, like a prototype stand, so they must be lifted before being pulled/shoved to the other position. And the R/C cables offer just the right amount of resistance so it feels like real work to bend the iron.

Your system sounds like it works just fine. Very clever!

- Trevor