N gauge ground throw question

[Rigby]

So I began laying track today with the help of a patient friend. We have a question about my ground throws. I'm using Atlas code 55 turnouts and Caboose Industries sprung ground throws.

The fitting that goes into the ground throw to attach to the turnout has two pins, one of which should go into the turnout. With the fitting attached to the turnout, the pins are facing down and they drag in the road bed. It really looks like the fittings ought to go face up but they won't install into the throw that way. What gives?

Anyone got a close up photo of one of these things rigged?

 

[kenw]

i remove some of the roadbed so that there is lots of free space around the throw rod. I build up the base for the stand with "crossties", making sure that a pair extend from the track and form the "sides" of the stacked crosstie support (these are glued to the bottom of the track's ties in the pic). it keeps the switch stand and track in alignment to each other over time.

some quick grabshots to hopefully explain somewhat.

 

[MRLdave]

On mine, I trim the outer pin (and the plate) off completely so the throws look the same, but one pin shorter. Then I shorten the remaining pin so it won't drag. I've also found the pins are usually too large to fit the hole in the switch throw, so I file them down till they fit. I like kenW's idea for raising the throws.....I simply glue a pad made from the roadbed material (in my case cork) at eack location and mount the throw on that. It would be nice if the Caboose throws were "ready to go" , but they're designed to be "adjustable" to a lot of situations. I know a modeler who uses the hole on the on the other end of the throw and uses a small loop of wire to tie the throw to the hole on the switch...seems to work fine and makes a link that's very flexible.