Hi PennC. This is great! Thanks so much for taking the time to produce this video and for sharing. I've hit several "walls" on my own basement layout and your approach to operating manual turnouts is one I'm going to try. The reversed clothes pin is brilliant, I've used those for clamps at my workbench for years but as part of a turnout control is so simple that it borders on genius. Thanks again, Dave Mc

I had a friend who used old automobile push and pull cables many years ago. The knobs were mounted on the outside of the board just like you did and the wire on the other end to the switch was mounted in the hole. This method you have of course is still the best because of availability around the house.Nicely done on your part for an in expensive way.

You did a super job on the ballesting - no ballast on the ties! That's a new one on me! My layout and modules are all build, but I'm helping two friends making their first basement layout, I tell them to watch this video. For my pull rod switches, I used a DPDT switch; where the switch was used to energize the frog -- so sound is not interrupted when switchers go over them slowly--especially my Athearn Genesis GP15-1s. Good work! Keep it up!

I'm glad you liked the video and I hope it helps. It was great to be able to do this with parts and materials I had laying around the garage and not spending any additional money. Thanks for watching my videos!

Great idea with the clothes peg Dave! I'll keep that in mind for future projects! Cheers Gregg

Hi Dave, thanks for the great comment! I don't think I'm at the "genius" level, but I'm glad that the video gave you an idea and I hope it works on your layout. Stayed tuned for more as I have taken apart that layout and will be building a new one.

Thanks, for a simple yet effective idea. It will be fun to build and show my grandsons (ages 5&8) they are learning a lot as I am building a new layout with a helix and will need turnouts in a number of places

I used Elmer's Carpenters Glue and some finishing nails to hold them in place. Simply take the clothespin apart, glue and nail it, then put the other half back on. Glad you liked the idea and thanks for your question/comment!

Just fantastic!! This is the kind of creativity and practically that makes me love this hobby. I'll be using this idea. Its easy to do great model railroading with big bucks. It's amazing when you can do it with great on the cheep. Thanks Dave

Very clever with the nails and groove

I think this is great and will be installing some on my layout. Cost is always an issue and these are very simple and reliable. .

Hi from the UK, I've been looking for a solution to how to manually control switches which don't have their own over-center springs and your solution is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!

Now that's good ole American made ingenuity.

Awesome idea and big money saver

Good simple idea. Love the cloths pin return spring.

That is REALLY clever, Terry!! I'm so poor now, this could be a good test of what's possible, with nearly nothing!! The only thing I might try differently is, using a wire coat hanger... It's what I've got. .... I'm back, sort of. Starting catch up. Carmine 🚂

@FTLOT - Thanks, good to hear from you!

Very ingenious! I like it.

Excellent video. Thank you

Glad you like it and yes, they are simple mechanics. Thanks for watching and commenting!

glad you like it and yeah it saves $ and also involves creativity. Thanks for watching and commenting! BTW, I subbed back

thanks! i appreciate your comment

nice job i like it simple and easy

Nice Job!

AWESOME< THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!

How did you secure the clothespin? Love that idea.

Yeah, I thought about cables (choke, brake, etc) but wanted to keep it as cheap as possible. There aren't any on my new layout, but maybe soon. The bullfrog turnout controls are cool, but can get expensive. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Very good idea thanks

@rrrtifax - Thanks! As you can tell, I like to build things; and Keep it Simple, Stay on Task!

Very nice!

Nice video...

Brilliant !

Very ingenious

Keep IT Simple Stanley! Sorry if youre name is not Stanley! Liked this very much!

@RRSalvageMan - Haha, Got lucky on the ballast! Trust me, there's areas where I left ballast. This is the farthest I've ever gotten with a layout, so I'm learning all the time. Yeah, one of the things I need to do is power the frogs for that very reason. I have an Alco S-3 (no sound) that has a tendency to hiccup. Hopefully your buds will take your advice.

@STEELHORSE1975 - Thanks!

McGiver would be proud of you.

Every cool idea

good job

This is Genius affordable ingenuity! Thanks for sharing. Are you still model railroading?

Very clever :-)

@curtwbb - Thanks for watching and the comment!

nice

You have explained very well & I appreciate. But it is bit difficult for one who wants to make a similar arrangement for his layout. Hence I would request you to please show the actual making of the system. This will help persons like me to do it & undertand. Hope you may agree. Thanks

I gata hand it to ya. That was smart.

Can you give me some more details I'm interested in that manual switch it please

LOL, sorry Terry, don't know where I got Dave from?? Gregg:-)

spider wire would work great to

I MUST ASK WHAT DID YOU DO FOR ELECTRIC? TO RUN THE TRAINS LIGHTING???...........SPEND SOME MONEY BROTHER IF NOT ASK FOR IT LIFE IS SHORT??????????????????????????????