Changing a turnouts throwbar?

[colesdad]

Hi,

I'm using Atlas Custom Line code 83 turnouts, and want to change the side that the throwbar is on. Can anyone give some suggestions or tips on this. What's the degree of difficulty?

Thanks for any help you may be able to give.

 

Bob

[jrbernier]

Very Simple - use an Exacto knife to lift the tab over each point and slide it out.  Reverse the throw bar and snap them back in.

Jim

[richhotrain]

jrbernier

Very Simple - use an Exacto knife to lift the tab over each point and slide it out.  Reverse the throw bar and snap them back in.

Jim

As Jim says, the process is very simple, but it requires care and patience.

If you use an Exacto knife, use the dull side, not the sharp side so you don't accidentally cut the plastic tab.  I used to use an Exacto knife, but now I use a tiny screw driver blade (e.g., eyeglass frame screw driver) to do the job. 

Once you lift and remove the first tab, place the metal point on top of the tab while you lift and remove the second tab.  Otherwise, the plastic tab tends to fall back on top of the metal point.

After both plastic tabs are lifted and removed, reverse the throwbar and reinsert the plastic tabs into the metal points.  That is it.  Just use care and patience.

Rich

[colesdad]

Thank you for the tips and suggestions. I'm going to give it a try today.

Thanks again.

[richhotrain]

colesdad

Thank you for the tips and suggestions. I'm going to give it a try today.

Thanks again.

Let us know how you make out.

Rich

[colesdad]

that was pretty easy. Took all of about five minutes to do three of them. the last one....30 seconds!!!

Thanks guys!!!

[richhotrain]

colesdad

that was pretty easy. Took all of about five minutes to do three of them. the last one....30 seconds!!!

Thanks guys!!!

Congrats!