Fixing the Track-work Issues - the Process

     How to exchange the the southside crossover turnouts was first explored using X-Track CAD.

Original Soutside west area

     The photo shows the original configuration of the southside, west end of the area where the turnout swap was to occur. Note that the inner loop crossover Snap Switch has had it slide reversed to put the ground throw on the divergent route side. That snap switch was later used to fix the ground throw issue at the throat of the short east side spur.

Original Soutside east area

     The photo shows the original configuration of the southside, east end of the area where the turnout swap was to occur. Note that the inner loop crossover Snap Switch has had it slide reversed to put the ground throw on the divergent route side. Its slide had to be reversed again to put it on the non-divergent side. The ground throw on the turnout to the short east spur still has its ground throw on the non-divergent side.

Work on the West Side

     The reconstruction area on the southwest side. The ground throws and track have been removed. The blue painter's tape under the track is really stuck to the table top to indicated where an uncoupling magnet was to be placed.

Work on the East Side

     The reconstruction area on the southeast side.

Finished Southwest side

     Note that the right crossover turnouts have their ground throws on the non-divergent sides.

Finished Southeast Side

     Note that the left crossover turnouts have their ground throws on the non-divergent sides. Also note that the turnout at the throat of the short east side spur is on the divergent side now so that it doesn't foul a locomotive or rolling stock.

     Overall, the change went much better than expected.