Affected	Turnout T324 (Branchline Angel Camps junction to Mainline).
Description	Broken switch rod and points.
Summary Fix	Fixed: Replace the turnout.

Description of Issue

The dual-gauge turnout has two minor issues.

The switch rod broke in 2 parts, and the points are no longer attached to the switch rod anyway. Other than that, it’s awesome. In other words, it’s absolutely unusable as a switch.

I typically do not hesitate to “condemn” turnouts to sidings we never use; however this one is the junction between the mainline and the branchline, and we very much want that to keep working.

Description of Fix

Orion found an exact replica of this dual-gauge turnout in the leftover stock, thus we took the easy decision of replacing it entirely.

In the process of removing the previous turnout. The replacement turnout can be seen in the front.

Our idea was to cut the turnout with a dremel about 1 inch “inside” the turnout then carefully remove the end where the turnout has soldered rail joiners to the adjacent track. That last part has proven a bit more delicate than we wanted so it’s still work in progress.

We continued a few weeks later. This is a tricky spot. The access hole from the mountain side makes it hard to see what one is doing, and the access from the fascia requires climbing (carefully) on the support structure.

The “new” turnout is in place. It’s not a new one, we found it in the track cabinet, but it’s in good condition and working properly. Here it is, after being fitted, with the power leads soldered. Most importantly, the Tortoise switch machine throws the turnout properly -- after multiple adjustments at least and some minimal spiking to ensure the track alignment was proper:

We used the branchline automation train for testing, going through the turnout properly, without derailment, and without loss of power:

The area after cleanup:

Oion, the track repairman, proudly presenting their handiwork:

Fix time: A few hours, spread over a few weeks.

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