EPISODE 05 - POINT MOTORS In this episode, I focus on painting the baseboard with a rich brown undercoat and installing SEEP point motors, specifically the Gaugemaster PM2 motors. Not only do I demonstrate how to mount these solenoid-driven motors onto wooden blocks for extra clearance, but I also dive into why a Capacitor Discharge Unit (CDU) is such a crucial element for driving them efficiently.
Right at the start, I 'mix' up my brown paint and apply it to the entire surface of the baseboard. The reason I chose brown is that it provides a great neutral backdrop that can represent soil or earth tone once scenery is added. This undercoat might seem like a small detail, but I find that it immediately gives the layout a more finished, cohesive look. Plus, when I begin layering on the scenery later, any small gaps or imperfections won’t stand out as starkly against a bare wood background.
After the painting is done and dry, I shift my attention to the SEEP point motors - these are solenoid motors that use a quick “snap” action to move the turnouts on my track. I’m using Gaugemaster PM2 motors because they’re reliable, affordable, and designed to work with a Capacitor Discharge Unit. In the episode, I explain that the CDU stores an electrical charge and then releases it in a short, powerful burst to drive the solenoid. This ensures that the point motors get enough energy to flip the turnout quickly and cleanly without risking damage to the motor or the switch.
To create enough clearance for the motors, I attach small wooden blocks beneath the baseboard. This extra space is key my baseboard is only 3mm thick. I drill holes to accommodate the throw bars, ensuring they align perfectly with the turnout’s tie bar above. I then use a combination of PVA glue and small screws to secure the blocks, so they stay firmly in place.
Once the motors are physically mounted, it’s time to solder and test all the connections. I walk viewers through each step: stripping the wire ends, tinning them with solder, and then attaching them to the correct terminals on both the motors and the CDU. The motors are tested while the boars is still upside down to showcase how the solenoids operate from below. This gives a clear view of the SEEP point motors, the wooden blocks, and the toggles that control each turnout. By showing the mechanism in action from an upside-down perspective, I can confirm that everything works smoothly before flipping the layout back to its normal position. It’s a small step, but it gives me peace of mind that the motors and linkages are functioning flawlessly.
I wrap up this episode by running a few tests from different points on the layout, verifying that each motor responds instantly once the toggle switch is flipped. This level of reliability is essential to maintain smooth operations and avoid derailments or alignment issues.
If you’ve found this walkthrough helpful, please consider giving the video a Like and leaving a Comment to let me know your thoughts or any tips you’ve discovered along the way. I’m always looking to learn from other model railway enthusiasts! And of course, don’t forget to Subscribe for more episodes in this Shunting Layout Series, as well as other model railway content I’ll be posting.
Thanks for watching, and happy modeling!
#modelrailway #modelrailroad #modelrailroading #railwaymodeling #modelrailroading #modelrailroading #shuntinglayout #modelrailwaylayouts #trackdesign #anyrail #newhobby #railwayenthusiast #trainlayouts #modeltrains #railwaymodelling #trainlayout #miniaturetrains #BeginnerModelRailway #railwayadventures #hornby #scenerybuilding #bachmann #peco #modelrailwayscenery
00:00 Introduction
02:32 Paint Base Board
03:33 Talk about Motors
06:23 Accessory Loom
08:02 Testing the CDU
14:21 Motor Orientation
21:18 Crimping Review
28:01 Final Soldering
33:47 Testing!
37:29 Wrapping Up + Next Episode