Touch Toggles Installed

I recently installed the Touch Toggles described in my previous post.  I installed two small control panels to house the Touch Toggles, one at each end of Dolores.  Also, the Mini-Cup Toggle was installed in the new fascia at the Lost Canon stockpen siding.  I found the installation and operation of these controls to be so satisfying, I purchased an additional set to convert a series of turnouts in Durango from accessory decoders to Touch Toggles.

The following parts are required to control a Tortoise switch machine:
      1.  Power supply
      2.  Direct Base
      3.  Touch Toggles
      4.  Extension cables (optional)

When plugging the cable from the Touch Toggles (or the optional extension cables) into the direct base, pay attention to the orientation of the cable on the pins.  Match the location of the brown wire to the pin based upon the small flag-like icon printed on the Direct Base.  If plugged in backwards, the Touch Toggles do not throw the turnout, but they will not be damaged.

A single power supply can control multiple direct bases, either by plugging the Direct Bases into each other, or by using extension cables.

Upon powering up the Direct Bases, all turnouts are thrown to the straight-through position.  This may be helpful in ensuring the turnouts are thrown for the main line at the beginning of an operating session.

A one-inch hole is required to mount the Mini-CupToggle into the fascia.  I used a one-inch Forstner bit, and the Mini-CupToggle was a perfect fit.

A 1 1/2" hole saw is used to cut the hole in the fascia for the three-toggle cup.  E-6000 adhesive is used to secure the individual Touch Toggles to the back of the cup.  Also, a clear diffuser is included to provide even light.

One of the two controls panels for Dolores, CO.  The panel consists of an inexpensive 4" x 6" picture frame mounted at an angle on the layout fascia.  The cable from the Touch Toggles run through a small hole in the fascia to the Direct Base.

A closer view of the panel for Dolores, CO.  Note that all indicators are green.  This is the status following powering up the Direct Base.

The Mini-Cup Toggle mounted in the fascia.  These are ideal for lone turnouts.

The Three-Toggle cup mounted in the fascia.

New 4000-Series boxcars

 I recently had the opportunity to build three of the Narrow Gauge Colorado 4000-series boxcars.  These are highly detailed, laser-cut kits consisting of all parts necessary to build the cars, except for trucks and couplers.  I used Blackstone 3'7" archbar trucks and Kadee 714 HOn3 couplers.  The Kitchen Car is painted with Scalecoat II M&W (sic) gray, while the other two are painted with Star Models (available from PBL) D&RGW Freight Car Red.  The Kitchen car was supplied with bond paper to simulate the screens over the windows and one side door.  After much searching, I found a fine-mesh nylon fabric to use for the screens, rather than the bond paper.

D&RGW Kitchen Car 04255.  Car is shown in front of the Durango Car Shop on the author's layout.

D&RG 4300 Boxcar, also at the Durango Car Shop.

D&RGW Water Service car 04432, also at the Durango Car Shop.