Tortoise switch machine mounting in foamboard

[Santa Fe Jack]

Hello again, all -

I have another, different, problem from the rail joiners, so here's a different thread.

I will be controlling my lovely turnouts with Tortoise switch machines -- the green rectangular jobs. I'm curious about the best way to mount them. My benchwork consists of a three-inch-thick sheet of pink insulation foam, made from laminating three one-inch sheets. (This was necessary to get a 6-ft x 10-ft board.)

So, what is the best way to mount the switch machine?

The best idea I have been able to conjure is to cut a rectangular hole completely through the foamboard base, so that it snugly fits the green box on three sides. the fourth side sports the mechanism, so I don't want to foul the works there.

The top of the switch machine would be flush with the top of the board, just under the cork roadbed.

Does anyone see any problems with that approach?

Are there better approaches?

I am all ears.

- John

 

[nolatron]

I did mine on my last layout pretty much the same way.

I cut hole in the foam big enough for the body to slide in. I then shaved off some of the top foam layer so the flanges could sit in, making the whole thing flush with the top of the foam.

EDIT:

Actually, this one kinda shows you what I did:

http://gallery.sodh.net/railroad/layout3/IMG_3828.jpg.html

And a higher-res shot just in case:
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/6563/img3828vw8.jpg

Hope that helps ya.

 

[MasonJar]

That is exactly how one of the guys at our modular club did it. Others have advocated gluing a little plywood square to mount the Tortoise, but I am not sure what the operational "reach" of these units is - 3" seems far...

Andrew