Switch Stand Kit for the Office Shelf Layout

Part of my recent order from ModelTrainStuff was a switch stand kit from Central Valley Model Works. I thought this would be a nice touch and add some more realism to the layout. I've never worked with a small kit like this before, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. One thing I will say is these things are tiny and not the easiest to work with. I guess that's to be expected though when you're trying to realistically model something in 1:87 scale.

The kit came with parts to make six total switch stands. I only really need one for this layout, so I figured worst case is I have five chances to screw up the assembly process. Luckily, I've had pretty good success putting the first one together. All I need to do now with it is paint the target red and glue it onto the piece of wire that holds it up. 

A look at my almost completed switch stand kit, shown next to my new Ford Maverick for scale

So far I really like how this kit is coming together. While it is just a static piece for display, I think it will look great on the layout. The only problem I have now is figuring out how to work it into the track I already have glued down. I used an old Atlas turnout so it has the larger piece of plastic between ties that moves the track. For me, I don't care as much about the functionality as I do the appearance, so I'm going to tweak this a bit. 

The old Atlas turnout that will need to be modified.

What I want to do is take out the plastic moving piece and replace it with some brass rod that looks a bit more realistic. I also want to rip out the two large blocks of plastic against the rails and replace them with two ties that look just like all the others. These two will then be extended out toward the camera and that is where I will place the switch stand. 

The extended ties that need to be placed under the track for the new switch stand.

As much as I was hoping to avoid this, I ended up having to remove the entire turnout from the layout for now. Luckily I was able to easily pry it up and slide it out of the connections with the remaining track. Now all I have to do is make the modifications to it and then put everything back together.

Is it just me, or is something missing from this picture?

Once those steps are completed, I will probably have to touch up the paint a bit then I can call it good. I'll make sure to post some more pictures at that point.