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| Last updated on November 30, 2020
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Model Railroader 2026 Calendar
Don't miss Model Railroader’s all-new 2026 calendar, featuring Rod Stewart's spectacular layout!
Good to see this again… was a tremendous help years ago!
I am wondering why you elongate the hole for the connecting wire when the template show to drill only one hole?
I have found that two screws, set diagonally, are sufficient to hold a Tortoise motor in place rather than four. I also put a small amount of bar soap on the screw (wet the screw and rub it gently over the soap) so that it goes into the wood easier and holds tighter.
I also leave it long and use a small vise grip to hold it in place.
David, how do you make the pencil lines for the track centerline on the bottom match the actual track centerline above? If the installation is not near the edge of the layout it seems it would be hard to get an accurate match.
Great demo
David….great job explaining the installation of the tortoise motors and wiring them. Look forward to seeing how all the tortoise terminals can be wired to power frogs, lights, and anything else you can do with them!
This video was informative. Thought I would check out the videos while enjoying my "Snow Day" in NW Florida.
Very informative video. Any tips or tricks on how to make the hole for the actuator rod if the turnout is already installed? (Don't ask.)
How come, when this part 1 is on the screen, that related videos does not have part 2 in it? Seems odd I have to go back to the main page categoriesto try and find it. What could be more related than part 2?
When mounting (or replacing) switch motors like this from under the layout, I take a longer length of music wire and insert it from above the layout, through the point bar hole. You can put a clamp on it, or bend the end above the layout at 90 degrees. With the longer length hanging below the bench work, you can then bend the rod and push the motor back up to mounting position. Proceed to cut the excess off from above the layout as David shows. This technique prevents you from having to push the throw wire through the point bar while laying under the benchwork!
Great video David! Is there any way to zoom in closer for some of those precision cuts or markings? This is very helpful for newbies like me!
David: Why the large gap between your main line and that switch in the video?? Is it because this was just a demonstration that you have set up or is this track an actual part of your layout? I know I had a couple of gaps like that and it caused me fits until I fixed it. Not nitpicking David but I was just wondering?
This came at the perfect time – I just installed my first switch motor, and this video was a big help … made the process much simpler than I thought it would be. Please, keep 'em coming!
very good