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STEP 1
First, I'll start with the assumption that you have laid the track and wired the switch machine(s).
If you have not done this do this first. Also, before proceeding with this project do understand that
once you have this thing covered there is no "easy" way to replace a switch machine with out tearing up your
scenery. I never have heard of one going bad but there is always time for a first I guess. If you can live with that
then let's get going. As shown to the right you should have your switch wired and working (so you can test it as we go).
As well you should have no scenery around the area where you are doing this, it will make sense later.
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STEP 2
Next you'll want to get a ink pen of sorts, not a ball point pen, something that you can use without having to push
down firmly to get a mark on the foam. From here you should look at the space you have around the switch machine itself,
if you have room, move the lever to the outer-most notch on the switch arm. See the photo to the right, notice it sits
away from the tracks now. If you are in a tight spot, no worries, just don't move it.
Ok, now trace the basic shape of
the switch machine, it doesn't have to be perfect, you just want the basic shape to know where it's going to sit. In the photo
to the right I disconnected the wires, you can do this as well it makes it a little easier to trace.
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STEP 3
Once your finished, remove the switch machine all together and this is what you should have now. A rectangle drawn on your foam
and some wires sticking out.
Now is a good time to go find your xacto or hobby knife. and put a fresh blade in it. Do not use
an old blade it will make a mess of the foam.
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STEP 4
Now what your going to do is cut the long sides first but you want to cut the foam at an angle downward. In other words,
if that was your hand in the photo, the blade would be pointing toward you. Ultimately your going to cut a wedge shape out
from the foam. When you cut the other long side the blade would be facing away from you at an angle downward. Once you have that done
cut the short sides with the blade pointing straight down when cutting.
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STEP 5
After performing the step above you might want to go over the cuts again, as you do this you will feel the foam start to
loosen. Take the hobby knife again, stick it down into one of the cuts you made and use the blade to pry it up. The foam may
come up in a few pieces or it may come up as one piece. Either way is fine. At this point you should have a wedge shape groove
cut into the foam and should look like the photo to the right. The groove should be about 1/2 inch or a little less deep. If it's deeper
no worries, it just means that excess ground foam/rock/ballast (whatever) has a place to fall into, which is what we want.
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