Up to HERE with Lionel 022 switches....

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone!

I'm new to the forum (just registered a few minutes ago), and thought I'd drop you all a note asking for some input.

As my subject indicates, I am TOTALLY frustrated with Lionel 022-style switches (I'm talking the newer ones). I set up my trains at Christmastime just like (I'm sure) thousands of other hobbiest do. As a result, I really don't have a lot of time to "play" with my trains. So the last thing I want to (or NEED to) do is test and repair these horrific Lionel switches! They either chatter back-and-forth, or switch in one direction but not the other, or the non-derail features just stops working.

I'm a subscriber to CTT and have been for well over 10 years. And their article on repairing these nightmare switches have been a god-send (seriously)!

Anyway, I'm SERIOUSLY considering dumping all the old switches and replacing them with K-Line SuperSnap switches. But before I do, I thought I'd ask if any one has had any experience with them. I run standard 'O' gauge tubular track on my layout, so the switches would have to be able to mate with that.

My Christmas layout is fairly large (6 trains running at once, 8 actually switches in use, my Wife graciously gives up the living room every year so that I can set the trains up!).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Junior in sunny AZ

[wrmcclellan]

stjr,

Welcome to the CTT forum!

Are you running them from track voltage or from the constant voltage tap?

These guys like 15-16 VAC for best performance.

Also - are you sure they all have the insulating pin on the control rails? If not - it will chatter when a loco tries to trip it from the rail that is insulated.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Hi Roy!

Nice to meet you!

I run the switches from the voltage taps. I swapped out all the original lightbulbs with 18 volt versions to so that I could run them as close to 18 volts as possible without completely melting the switch lanterns (I even drilled holes in the tops of the lanterns themselves to help disipate any heat that might build up)!

And, ALL the switches have insulating pins plugged into the proper "trip" rails. In about 90% of the cases, the problems that I described occur internal; either a wire has "worked" loose from one of the trip rails (inside the body of the switch itself), or the "4-post" contact that slides back-and-forth (inside the switch-motor portion) shifts out of alignment and has to be "re-aligned"; stuff like that.

I'm honestly beginning to think that the switches aren't up to the set-up/take-down I do year after year. It's not like I abuse them or anything. I don't just throw them in a box. I pack each switch away individually in their own original boxes.

But, every year I have to "fix" at 2 or 3. It's very disheartening. Hmmm...I'm wondering if the SAME switches are giving me grief year after year? I haven't really checked for that (yet)!

Junior

[wrmcclellan]

Interesting. Not sure what to tell you. I have both old and new (13 on my layout) but they are permanently mounted and I have 2 bad ones (one that I burned up because I parked a car on it and did not realize it and the other had a problem when I installed it that I thought I fixed). You have done the right things and I think using them and storing them as you describe should not cause any trouble.

I do know this - once a dud - always a dud with these guys. Good ones seem to last forever.

Lionel did go through some quality pains when production moved to China. There are some real bad 072 switches (I have one) where the point rails never touch the side rail and it is not easily fixed.

I have heard some good comments about the K-Line switches. Do a search on this forum and you should find several.

Regards and good luck!
Roy

[Anonymous]

022's can have a lot of, uh, personality. I have some that are older than I and some brand new ones, and some, old and new, that are perfectly reliable, and some are not. All of them seem happier the more you use them.

The Kline supersnap switches will mate to 031 track after you cut off the snap loops and contacts. Be careful, an incomplete chop job will result in a short as the supersnap center rail contacts short on the metal tie on the 031.

For a once a year set up I would seriously consider Lionel Fasttrack or MTH Realtrax. The integrated roadbed really cuts down on getting tinsel, carpet fuzz, and other stuff caught up in you engines...

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Hey Roy/Old 2037!

Thanks for your comments and your insight! These switches were purchased purchased from the "new" Lionel company; but around the 1993 - 1994 timeframe.

And as I said earlier, I honestly didn't notice if the switches that are acting up are always the same ones or not! I will watch for that though. I probably DO have a bad bunch of them (damn it Spock!).

I have also been looking at Lionel's new FastTrack product line. I'm just waiting (hoping?) until the price comes down a little. I can get standard 'O' for about $1.25 per section; versus about $3.00 per section for FastTrack. Still a little too pricey for me. But hopefully it's just a matter of time.....

Thanks again! [:D]

Junior!

[Anonymous]

I have had problems with trains derailing on 022 switches. I returned the switches to Lionel & they sent me new ones; mine were still within warrantee at the time. The newer ones have been much better, but I still have a loco or two that will derail consistently when going over one particular switch in one particular direction. I attribute that to the loco, not the switch.

Mine are permanently mounted to a board, though, so I've never seen what you describe.

Tony