I’m building a shelf layout 79.5” by 15.5” which will sit in a shelf area 11” high. Not much vertical space, so I want to minimize the layout base height.
I found a switch machine a height less than ¾”, from MRCS (Model Railroad Control Systems).
MRCS MP1 Switch Machine
The base will be a sheet of 1/8” lauan glued & screwed to a frame of 1x1” molding, and a layer of 1/8” cork on top. Since 1x1” is in reality 3/4” on the sides, this results in a 1” high base, with 3/4” cavity underneath: Adding the roadbed results in having 9/8” to bottom of track ties.
Layout Base
I mounted the switch machine to a piece of basswood as a mount platform, and cut a hole in the lauan to provide a recess, then fit the turnout to the machine above that. The basswood was cut larger than the size of the hole.
Mounting The Switch Machine
Attaching the machine to the basswood using a piece of two-sided mounting tape allowed me to make sure the machine would fit, and to adjust as needed.
I positioned the MP1 at one end of the base so the connector rod to the turnout would clear.
MRCS recommended replacing the connector rod with something more flexible; I used a piece of .025” phosphor bronze rod from Tichy Train Group.
I then attached a piece of roadbed and a turnout to the other side of the basswood using Gorilla Glue. I could still adjust the machine at this point to fit the connector rod from the machine into the turnout and position as needed.
I cut out a hole in the lauan and cork sheet where the turnout would be located, and removed additional material from the cork sheet to allow the basswood to drop in.
I could then glue the basswood to the top of the lauan where the cork material had been removed.
After adding more roadbed under the turnout, wiring it up per the instructions, and testing, I screwed the machine to the basswood to complete the installation.
This photo shows the wiring, with a SPDT switch to control the turnout. A switching wall wart provides 12V power. Alternatively, for demonstration, a 9V battery connection is available.
Wiring It Up
Finally, here is a video of the switch machine in operation.
