Pennman,
Put them under the table with fulcrum side parallel to the ties. Drill a little bigger hole that recommended. I use 5/8".
Make sure the turnout is exactly were it will be for the permanent installation, and mark the center hole of the turnout sliding bar. Be sure the points are neither thrown nor closed, but in the middle when you mark it. Drill it. The tortoise should work through a pretty deep hole, > 1.5 inches certainly, as the fulcrums are adjustable and you can always use a longer piano wire from your LHS or hardware store.
I have found it is easier NOT to try to bend or preshape the wire. Instead, put the wire through the center fulcrum hole, then put one end in the tortoise armature itself, use the fulcrum as a handle/lever to push the wire up and into place. It will bend just right.
A far a power goes...
Most people have wall transformers laying around the house, I have about 6 or so myself... you know, for various battery chargers, clippers, toys, etc... most have an output of 12vdc which works good for stall motors, Canabilize one of these and you can daisychain power from it to all your tortoises.
Use a DPDT switch from radio shack to control them. One switch can contol multiple turnouts, no problem. I have even heard of guys that use one switch machine for multiple turnouts... they achieve this economical method using some kind of linkage.
