Turnout installed

So today I finished the installation of the first turnout. Yea. This is also my first double image for a blip. Catching on slowly. Anyway the left photo shows the hole I cut in the styrofoam. People have asked why three layers of styrofoam - certainly a question of national and global importance. I use one layer each of 2". 1 1/2", and 1" foam. The 2" provides a good solid base and the top two layers give me sqace vertically to carve out landscapes - streams, valleys, etc. Also, the mounted switch motor is just a little less than 3 1/2" deep so the motor will hang totally within the styrofoam. Why is that important? The styrofoam sits atop a framework of 1 by 4 lumber. In the past I paid no attention to the structure and ended up trying to install switch motors underneath and of coarse, right where a cross member was. In the hole in the left photo, you can see the top of the structure underneath - perfectly centered on the switch. When I put the 1" styro in the hole, the motor and wires clear the wood making life way easier. No need to figure out where the switches go before hand - when I did that before I always missed several.

Finally the right photo shows the switch and styro in place. I do not glue it in place, just sit it there. The connecting tracks and eventual scenery will hold it and cover the cut marks.

The real benefit of this method, while needed a couple of extra layers of foam, is that should I want to change something, like move a switch, I disconnect the two wires controlling the switch, cut the track on either side, and lift out the whole assembly. Ready to place someplace else. Had I done this on the layout I built in our old house, it would have saved MUCH labor. Most of that layout ended up in a dumpster.

Also, because I installed the switch on the styro at my desk, I and tune it up as needed so that it is perfect. However, the Peco turnouts I am using are so good there is no tuning necessary. They are built like brick outhouses so I know there will be few repairs in the future. Unlike my old layout where I got very skilled at re-sodering switch blades that fell apart.