... the Templot templates and also given at: http://www.templot.com/martweb/gs_realtrack.htm#split_switch You then turn the blade over and file the same planing length on the front of the blade, but this time at an angle, so that only the rail head is removed. The result is a knife edge at the tip, but with half the web thickness remaining below the tip and still providing sufficient strength for proper flexing of the whole switch rail. This diagram shows the resulting end view of the switch blade: cranked_switch_dropper.gif The final task is to put a set in the rail where the planing runs out, so that the top corner of the gauge face is returned to a straight line. With the blade then clamped against its stock rail, the deflection angle can be checked, and a rub with abrasive paper will radius the tip corner from a knife edge to something comparable with the prototype which will be robust enough in service. I originally prepared this diagram for use in a much longer write-up somewhere, but at present I ...