Hi to all! : )
I think this is the place to ask my question. I am beginning to lay the track on my layout. (Track plan posted on the Trackplan forum). I am installing Peco turnouts - #6, for the staging area at the right end of the layout. This will be under an access hatch (small mountain scenery) so i am using the Peco switch machines mounted under the table. This is where I am having much difficulty. I remember in my earlier years in the hobby (30+ years ago) that people cut big holes under the Pecos and mounted the machine directly to the turnout. This makes for a sloppy looking track job in my opinion but there may be new ways of covering that hole that I don't know.
I notice the instructions with the switch machine call for cutting a "small slot" under the turnout bar so you can run the extender rod up to the turnout. That seemed like a good idea 'til I tried it. It must be about a 4 person job to mount the turnout, align the throw rod with the turnout bar and then screw it in to the plywood below the layout. : ( How are you folks that know what you are doing doing this? I see a lot of good looking systems here and know you must have a bunch of techniques that I have missed in the past bunch of years.
TIA
BTW do you report layout progress with photos here or in photos or N/Z forum?
I think this is the place to ask my question. I am beginning to lay the track on my layout. (Track plan posted on the Trackplan forum). I am installing Peco turnouts - #6, for the staging area at the right end of the layout. This will be under an access hatch (small mountain scenery) so i am using the Peco switch machines mounted under the table. This is where I am having much difficulty. I remember in my earlier years in the hobby (30+ years ago) that people cut big holes under the Pecos and mounted the machine directly to the turnout. This makes for a sloppy looking track job in my opinion but there may be new ways of covering that hole that I don't know.
I notice the instructions with the switch machine call for cutting a "small slot" under the turnout bar so you can run the extender rod up to the turnout. That seemed like a good idea 'til I tried it. It must be about a 4 person job to mount the turnout, align the throw rod with the turnout bar and then screw it in to the plywood below the layout. : ( How are you folks that know what you are doing doing this? I see a lot of good looking systems here and know you must have a bunch of techniques that I have missed in the past bunch of years.
TIA
BTW do you report layout progress with photos here or in photos or N/Z forum?