i think i need a new motor for this old AHM Atlas ,by itself the motor runs, hook it up to the gear trucks it doesnt go, cleaned the gear cogs in the gear boxes, and cleaned the wheels  still a no-go. the motor is humming, and wanting to turn but doesnt..

any suggestions???

Has anyone here used an arduino / servo combination to control routes using rotary switches? I have a staging yard and a wye that I want to use Arduino and servos to control routes. I have rotary switches like the one shown. One is a 5 position (staging) and the other is 3 (wye). I will be starting this soon, and if anyone has anything to share on this before hand.. that would be much appreciated. Thanks

Update: solution in comments..

I am in the initial stage of designing a small HO layout. To get started I am going to try and do some of the planning by hand. I am using the ME #6 turnout template as a starting point. I want to have the yard tracks on 2 1/4" centerline spacing. How do I determine 1) where the first straight section of the first yard track should start in relation to the end of the diverging route of the turnout; 2) how to connect the first yard section to the turnout (i.e. small straight section followed by a curve of some radius).

Reviewing the instructions for the Central Valley turnouts it says to glue down the tie blocks to your roadbed as a first step. Can the CV turnouts be built without this step to allow building the turnouts before track laying starts to allow you to stockpile a number of turnouts? Using the FastTracks jigs you can build the turnouts in advance.