Point Operation

As you may remember from the track plan for Jerusalem, there is a single point on the scenic section which leads into the factory siding. I'd also decided that the point was going to be modelled as being manually operated and had even bought and painted a cosmetic point lever. Well I've now glued the point lever in place, although I still need to add some ground cover around it to make it look more natural.

Now the point lever is in place you can see how the manual operation of the point looks in this video. Personally I think the connecting rod sliding under the base of the point lever is a nice touch.

The Little Details

So far the construction of Jerusalem has mostly involved thinking about the larger items; buildings, scenery, etc. While these are clearly important I'm fairly certain that it will be the little details that make the model come alive -- and I'm not just talking about people.

Since I settled on a track plan I've known that there will be a point leading to the factory siding right at the front of the baseboard. As I'm modelling a sleepy little single track branchline I've decided that this will be modelled as being manually operated, and so I'll need a point lever.

I did think about trying to model a point lever myself (I was thinking some matches for the sleepers and a bit of stiff wire for the handle) but in the end I've opted for a nice, accurate, whitemetal part from Knightwing International. I used a photo I took at Model Rail Live showing one of the levers at the entrance to Barrow Hill Roundhouse for reference when painting. I've removed the modelled connecting rod as I'm intending to make that move when the point operates for a little more realism.