Hello folks. I am here writing for a friend whom doesn't do the internet very well due to his injuries ( Veteran ). We have been reading till our eyes have bled out about the HO different code styles of rail. Kurt has pretty  much decided on code 83 as he has nothing in a box to start from. We have been reading about 20-25 threads here about rail codes and different brands of turnouts. I have zero experience with HO so Kurt and myself will have to rely upon your expertise.

I have been thinking about how to positively lock turnout points to the stock rail without resorting to powered turnout throws (i.e. Tortoise and others) or commercially available manual throws (i.e. Caboose Hobbies).     I especially wanted to “lock” the points in place in my yard and industrial tracks that are within 24” of the layout fascia.   I prefer to use a skewer or finger to move the points.

A friend is building a layout. He's challenged with severe arthritis so a couple of us have been helping him. I can't do as much as I'd like because I have a job and others are retired. The gentleman laying his code 100 flex track is 84 and has some health issues. Suffice to say that some of the track laid is a little rough. One location on a curve we were getting constant derailments. 

Hi

See many  questions about Rapido uncouplers, but here is very simple way to use permanent magnet.

Friend of mine and myself discover this so simple trick just because of some error manipulation when installing permanent magnet on a layout.

We all know permanent magnet work well, but when this magnet is placed on a important running track, some unwanted uncoupling happen time by time.

Here is the trick,