Were you able to let it swivel? It's actually amazing that the swing lever survived. it's very delicate. Take a nice, well lit photo on the layout for me when you install it so I can add a customer photo to the keystone Details photo gallery.
By the way it is designed to be mostly buried in ballast so the sides really don't matter.
Thanks, John. Yes, the swivel was maintained. I masked the hub with a small piece of tape and plugged the socket with a toothpick when painting to prevent buildup and the dimensional change that would cause. I'm sure some paint buildup would have done those tabs in. And I'm also surprised that the lever made it. As it is though, it went together fine and works great. And it's pretty cool!
While I am totally happy with the part, the look, and the function, maybe these suggestions could be weighed. Not necessary at all but maybe useful. If that lever is causing trouble would it be worth just putting a groove at the head end to accept a glued in piece of wire? And if you were to go back at the design, while you're in there maybe thicken up those base walls just a bit if it wouldn't screw the price. On mine I bowed them in when gripping to sand. Nothing broke and I was able to stick a couple of styrene pieces in there to straighten it out and beef it up. Understand that these are nit picking suggestions, not a cause of any real concern.
As far as planting it permanent, that will be a ways off when I build the engine house and redo the track in that area. I may need another one for the other end where I'm thinking a coaling tower may go. In the meantime it can just sit there looking cool! Thanks again for such a well thought out, neat detail.
