despite all the planning in the world, I kept on saying, "oh, I"ll go back and fix that someday". Next thing I knew I was beginning the scenery stage. (Three tunnels? Yes, part of my "nolix" to the second level.) The turnout is about 24" from the edge on a high shelf. I have to stand on a stool and reeeeeach to throw the turnout. A warning to those in the planning stages of their layouts - fix the problems now!
It happens. And I suppose installing a switch machine would involve similar reaches? I.e., at this point perhaps impossible? I've been there many times!
I see a peekaboo of benchwork there. With some careful sawing, you might be able to get a switch machine in there. Alternatively, it looks like your second level base is foam. Foam can be cut. OR, as inelegant as it may appear and if operation is important to you, install a second turn out as you are coming around the curve and connect it up a bit further down to another coming from the straight track. It may look like hell, but it will get you to the same place, only a bit further down the road.
I went with 3% since it is just a 'passage' between the main level and the unfinished 2nd level. At the current rate of progress I think that it is 50/50 as to if I dismantle this layout and start over, or finish a second level... (as a sidenote, I would comment that I regret not going even bigger with my min. radius on the whole layout, but I have no regrets about the 3%...yet)
Barry- Even though scenery has been started, I'd vote for stopping, and getting some sort of remote control ability on the switch. The frustration of doing it now, will be much less than trying to live with it later. Boxcab E50
