Show us your Z scale layouts!

OntarioTodd Aug 25, 2009

  1. yoshi98bc

    yoshi98bc TrainBoard Member

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    I am a complete amateur when it comes to the tortoise switch machine but are those mounted on their side? IF so, why? I thought they are mounted on end with the throw wire up through the foam.
     
  2. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Ahh! You noticed the sideways mounts! It was Jeff's Idea! i quickly drew it up in Corel, and made easy mount adjustable plates for sideways mounting the Tortoise.

    Jeff said they were really easy to adjust, and being mounted sideways means they don't stick out lower than the bottom of the module. :D
     
  3. zmaner

    zmaner TrainBoard Member

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    Whats on your workbecnh?

    :thumbs_up: Excellant wire and tortise routing Jeff and Robert. I can see this is going to be a one of a kind module.

    Chris

     
  4. yoshi98bc

    yoshi98bc TrainBoard Member

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    I would love to see more info about that remote tortoise mounting. Do you have any more pictures, perhaps a detail explanation for the amateurs like myself?
     
  5. kevsmith

    kevsmith TrainBoard Member

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    I had the same problem with the tortoise point motors on Cuyahoga. Although I use deep framing on my layouts for stability I found the tortoises were either projecting down below the frame or were very close. This would be too vulnerable for exhibition use but would probably be o.k for a layout that never left home. I ended up using Fulgurex switch machines with bell cranks on the Peter Wright turnouts instead.

    However, if the sideways method works, I'll probably try again with them when I start on the Steelworks modules. I have got a box full so I might as well!

    KEV
     
  6. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    I guess these are Wright turnouts?:tb-cool::tb-wink::thumbs_up:

    Dom
     
  7. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    I do agree!!!

    Dom
     
  8. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Dom: yes, Peter Wrights.
    Frank: GREAT looking shelf layout. Going in my file and I think Robert Ray will be making something like this soon in his garage ;)
    Yoshi: Nice stereo stuff in the Zbay section. You can mount them on their sides with the Mounting kit but it is more for offset mounting. You could modify that same and bend the wire 90 "below" it but Rob has 1" of foam. The problem then you loose all the tension strength with the bend. Even larger .030" or even .040" is effectively weaker than mounting the Tortoise normally with the full long straight wire. So I came up with another idea, Rob whipped up some laser cut parts and it worked. I am going to productize this so I can't tell you the actually secret because people 'steal' things.

    I also am making an LED based tester so one can figure out all the wiring (makes a difference if the turnout is L or R and whether the Tortoise is under the turnout or under the lead rail.
    .
     

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