I would like to know where you got the cantilever with the crossing gates. I have been looking for them as an all in 1. I hope they still make them. I see it's an older video. Thanks
Thanks much! I'm starting on a layout and hope to get laying track in the coming month or so. Deciding right now on Tortoise vs PECO switches (under a 2" foam base) and this video helps me understand the ease of using the Tortoise. Cheers!
Love your show! Question about Peco code 55 turnouts. There is no center hole for installing a point motor. What do you do when installing a switch machine?
@@ledyardbrady6623 Not at all. The Peco switches have a tiny little bump on each side of the slide bar. The wire is right beside it and is hardly visible.
Great video! Quick Question, are you using SPDT switches or DPDT switches? I would like to wire my tortoise onto a control panel and use your method but im unsure what types of switches I need!
I am in the building stage…but have not decided on how I’m going to power my turnouts…how thick can I go with 1/4” ply, foam and 1/8” roadbed and still be able to use the tortoise or any other…blue point, fast track…any help from all would be great…thank you.
Awesome!! I have to ask though, have you considered the Walthers layout control system in the past? I was always afraid of going this route of having to wire and solder stuff which the Walthers system totally avoids. Just curious what your opinion is on the 2.
I never looked too in detail to the Walthers system, but from what I know it seems pretty good. I thought that it required soldering to the microswitches though. I like that it comes with a larger gauge wire. I bought a 12 pack of Tortoises, so I won't be looking at the Walthers device right away.
Helpful video thank you. My foam is 1/2' with silver liner ;( but it was the rigid stuff not cushion. I was going to use the same stuff you did when at depot but I didnt because I thought I had to stay in range of the turtle wire which said 1". Im tempted to get the same foam and go over it but I will have 1/2" ply' 1/2" foam and then 1" foam being at 2" if so. I would probly Have to recess all the switches so Ill stay at the 1/2". I just hope I can glue new foam to the silver liner as it wont come off. I bought a guys used set up and it had 32 snails / turnouts and 2 reversing loops but I cant have massive U setup I tore it down and saved 80% of the track. Didnt like the layout either for city layout. The wiring was INSANE and im just barely learning this stuff. My new table is 14' X 44" on 6 locking wheels so I can take it from the garage through the arcadia door later if need be. I do want to use the same foam as you for the build up this will be much cheaper. Im trying to learn enough to do a layout. I want to utilize as much of this stuff as I can. I still have to learn the digitraxx 240 and the two throttles it came with and the 8 loco's ;) Im going Loco...
My foam is only 1/2" on top of 3/8" plywood. 2 inches would be about the most I'd want to go through, and I would definitely use .039 wire. Good luck with your layout, I am sure it will be great.
@@nscaler454 Oh they only had the pink foam in 1" when i was at Home Depot. Im going to stick with the 1/2" I already have glued down so most of the switches will not need .039 longer wires. Ill be building up with the pink foam like you tho. I will be watching more for ideas thanks!
I would like to know where you got the cantilever with the crossing gates. I have been looking for them as an all in 1. I hope they still make them. I see it's an older video. Thanks
what are you referring to?
@@nscaler454 No wonder your confused. I wrote this on the wrong video....LOL
Thanks much! I'm starting on a layout and hope to get laying track in the coming month or so. Deciding right now on Tortoise vs PECO switches (under a 2" foam base) and this video helps me understand the ease of using the Tortoise. Cheers!
Thank you! With 2 inches of foam base, I would recommend upgrading to the .039 wire.
Ok how do you adjust the travel on the switch for the tortoise 🐢 machine 🤔.???? Noone has a video on how to adjust the travel.
by adjusting the slider (0:33) that the wire goes through. This changes your fulcrum point and adjusts how much travel the wire moves at the switch.
Love your show! Question about Peco code 55 turnouts. There is no center hole for installing a point motor. What do you do when installing a switch machine?
The holes are on the outsides of the track.
Dosen't that make it hard to hide the hole for the control wire?
@@ledyardbrady6623 Not at all. The Peco switches have a tiny little bump on each side of the slide bar. The wire is right beside it and is hardly visible.
Where did you get the wire
Great video! Quick Question, are you using SPDT switches or DPDT switches? I would like to wire my tortoise onto a control panel and use your method but im unsure what types of switches I need!
I used DPDT 2 position ON/ON switches
I am in the building stage…but have not decided on how I’m going to power my turnouts…how thick can I go with 1/4” ply, foam and 1/8” roadbed and still be able to use the tortoise or any other…blue point, fast track…any help from all would be great…thank you.
I have heard of people using up to 2 inch foam over 1/2" plywood. I'd highly recommend .039 wire though.
Great video, where did you get the connectors for the Tortoise Machine
I got them from modeltrainstuff.com
Awesome!! I have to ask though, have you considered the Walthers layout control system in the past? I was always afraid of going this route of having to wire and solder stuff which the Walthers system totally avoids. Just curious what your opinion is on the 2.
I never looked too in detail to the Walthers system, but from what I know it seems pretty good. I thought that it required soldering to the microswitches though. I like that it comes with a larger gauge wire. I bought a 12 pack of Tortoises, so I won't be looking at the Walthers device right away.
Helpful video thank you. My foam is 1/2' with silver liner ;( but it was the rigid stuff not cushion. I was going to use the same stuff you did when at depot but I didnt because I thought I had to stay in range of the turtle wire which said 1". Im tempted to get the same foam and go over it but I will have 1/2" ply' 1/2" foam and then 1" foam being at 2" if so. I would probly Have to recess all the switches so Ill stay at the 1/2". I just hope I can glue new foam to the silver liner as it wont come off. I bought a guys used set up and it had 32 snails / turnouts and 2 reversing loops but I cant have massive U setup I tore it down and saved 80% of the track. Didnt like the layout either for city layout. The wiring was INSANE and im just barely learning this stuff. My new table is 14' X 44" on 6 locking wheels so I can take it from the garage through the arcadia door later if need be. I do want to use the same foam as you for the build up this will be much cheaper. Im trying to learn enough to do a layout. I want to utilize as much of this stuff as I can. I still have to learn the digitraxx 240 and the two throttles it came with and the 8 loco's ;) Im going Loco...
My foam is only 1/2" on top of 3/8" plywood. 2 inches would be about the most I'd want to go through, and I would definitely use .039 wire. Good luck with your layout, I am sure it will be great.
@@nscaler454 Oh they only had the pink foam in 1" when i was at Home Depot. Im going to stick with the 1/2" I already have glued down so most of the switches will not need .039 longer wires. Ill be building up with the pink foam like you tho. I will be watching more for ideas thanks!
No need to use a drill...I use double sided tape, a good brand of tape. Mind have been tape up on the Layout for over 10 years. Bob