Hints and Tips

Busch Adhesive Roadways

These are excellant products for recreating roads and parking places on your layout and available in both HO and N.

They are self adhesive and come with a paper backing. Removing a small section of backing at a time carefully lay the road without stretching the material lengthways. For corners, adhere the inside of the corner first gradually easing the material around the outside of the curve. As each section is laid ensure that it is smooth. Should any part of the road lift then PVA adhesive can be used to reglue that section.

Busch or Noch flock material can be applied afterwards to provide the perfect finish.

Any cutting is best done before the paper backing is removed.

Warning: the adhesive is very strong and the material is difficult to remove once laid.

Seep Point Motors 

When considering point work it is worth while considering if point motors will be installed. If this is to be done at any time a few moments planning which type of motor will be used as installation methods will vary. All of the Seep motors are for mounting, principally, below the baseboard.

The following hints may assist with the installation.

With Peco N gauge points there are mounting holes located at either end of the tie bar. For OO points the locating hole is in the centre of the tie bar. The Seep motor pin will locate into these holes

1. The motor should be wired in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions depending on which electrical system is being used. It is easier to do this prior to installation.

2. Locate the point on the layout. The point will need to be removed for the motors to be installed so be prepared to lift, or move slightly, the point depending on which scale is being used.

3. Drill small pilot holes at either end of the tie bar.

4. From below the baseboard join the two holes with a straight line and extend beyond the point work. This will guide the correct alignment of the motor.

5. Using Blu Tack, or something similar, centre the point blades carefully. The Blu Tack will hold the blades in this position.

6. Drill through the hole on the tie bar which will centre the pin of the motor.

7. Using Blu Tack, centre the pin on the point motor.

8. From below insert the pin on the point motor through the hole just drilled so that it locates in the tie bar.

9. Locate the motor so that it is aligned centrally on the line drawn earlier.

10. Drill pilot holes to take fixing screws. It may be easier to drill one hole first and then attach the motor with a screw before drilling and fixing the second screw.

11. Once satisfied that the alignment is correct remove both the motor and the point.

12. For N gauge drill a 6 mm hole through the guide hole drilled earlier for the locating pin. OO/HO points will require an 8 mm hole.

13. Before replacing the motor ensure that the screw and drill holes have not left any raised surfaces which might affect the installation of the motor.

14. Replace both point and fix the motor into their original positions and check for free operation.

15. Once the electrical connections have been made check the free operation of the point and motor. If there is some stiffness lightly lubricate the sliding bar on the motor.

16. As the pin on the motor protrudes through the locating hole on the tie bar it will need to be shortened so that it does not foul any rolling stock. DO NOT USE ROTARY CUTTERS ON A MINI DRILL AS THIS WILL MELT THE PLASTIC ON THE TIE BAR UNLESS DONE VERY CAREFULLY WITH FREQUENT INTERVALS. Use side cutters and check for adequate clearances.