Undermount switch machine advice wanted

[Racerdb]

I'm getting ready to mount a bunch of Atlas #65 Undertable switch machines. The instructions say to drill a 3/8"-1/2" hole directly below the throwbar with the hole in it, then stick the 'pointer' up through the hole.

What happens to this hole when I get to ballasting & landscaping? Theoretically, nothing can be placed in this hole because it would block the travel of the 'pointer', right? After looking through all of the photos in the train magazines, I have yet to see an undermount 'pointer' sticking up through a switch. How are these camoflouged and still operate properly? How is the 1/2" hole hidden?

Thanks....

Dave

 

[60103]

Dave: after you drill the hole you can cover all but the slot you really need with paper or tape or something, then gently ballast. (you don't want enought ballast to gum up the works). You might consider coarse sandpaper of the appropriate colour, then slowly raise the ballast to tie level. Real railroads also kept the ballast low at switchpoints.