I am considering Walthers new servo switch machines for my new layout.Has anyone set routes using these. What I mean is want be able to align all the turnouts for a particular track in a yard with a single button push. Has anyone done this with the Walthers switch machines and if so how did you do it?

Mike

For about 30 years I've wanted to attempt to build a turntable from scratch.  I read an article by Bob Hayden where he built a narrow-gauge turntable for Dave Frary's layout using a 1/4" phono plug as the pivot, and I thought that was a great idea.  It's taken me several decades to get to it, but I'm finally giving it a go!  I'm documenting the story here, rather than in an article, because it's really Bob's idea (thanks Bob) and because I have no idea how this will turn out!  Wish me luck.

As I was working on ballast, etc. it occurred to me that flex track ties are too much alike. Yes, we can apply paint or pastels or such to change color. But proto ties are not that uniform in shape or texture. So - what I need to ask is for those of you that have done something to make flex track ties look more prototypical. What can we do? Has anyone tried scratching them with a steel brush? Or something like that? I'd hate to be the one experimenting? Hoping that someone has already done some finessing of ties. Saving me from ruining my ties. Is this clear?