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…...............--- Sawmill Turnout Install -- Pt. 1 ---======================================

I still have one long stretch of sculptured foam scenery that needs Spackling and paint. I decided to put that off a bit and try and get the track in at the sawmill scene and also finish some other aspects of the scene.

Having finished making the turnouts and a crossing for this area the next step was to get all the turnouts in place with some push pins to get a final look at what the track plan would look like (above). Next they would be removed and then tested on my turnout tester. Follow that up with placing ties on them and then installing the servos along with caulking the flex track down to tie all the track and turnouts together for the scene above.

There are two 3-way turnouts in the sawmill's yard and instead of installing them separately I decided to solder them together as on. The rails where they would be joined were cut as a staggered cut to make the union span over a couple long ties that join them. That was done as shown above.

Normally I let the caulked down flex track to the turnouts anchor them down and leave the turnouts to 'float'. Then if they need work it is fairly easy to remove them if the work is major or they are to be replaced. Eventually if I get that far and they have been performing OK they might get ballast.

Some of the turnouts and the crossing will be connected to other turnouts and I wanted a way to then anchor them down but still be removable. To do that I'm making PCB ties with a hole in them sized so a M2 screw can be used to hold them in place (see above and following images).

Of note is that this track-work is at 57 inches on the upper level and most people are looking across it not down on it. Considering that I'll live with 'maybe' someone ever noticing the screw heads and will trade that for being able to remove any turnouts/crossings if needed. I'm well along in life at this point and find it is easier and easier to compromise on what I think is acceptable in regards to 'quality' vs. functionality.

The crossing has 4 ties with holes in them and I might only need to use three of them.

On the track coming out of the tunnel on the right side/north side there is a 3-w with a short piece of track leading into a #6 RH turnout. I modified a short piece of ME code 55 flex there to also have two ties that I can screw down. This will anchor one end of the 3-way and one end of the #6 RH turnout.

Next up was testing the turnouts before adding ties and wiring to them and that was covered on the previous page.

To be continued and a link to this whole build ( HERE ).

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