Lionel 022 switch HELP!

[Anonymous]

Finally got my two Lionel 022 switches on my layout. Now having a derailing problem. My current locos are an RMT Beep and a Lionel 2-4-2 steam engine/tender from a starter set. Rolling stock is Lionel O-27 traditional. Specific problem is: train goes down the straight, through the switch, and immediately into an O-31 clockwise turn to the other side of the layout and back the other way down a straight (basically my layout is an oval with 2 internal sidings, using a total of two 022 switches. The first piece of rolling stock after the locomotive (or locomotive/tender in the case of the steamer) jumps the track. The loco doesn't, just the rolling stock (boxcar, etc.) Seems like it won't track through the turn without derailing just after the switch. My new Williams boxcar won't go through it AT ALL without derailing, the others will go through sometimes, but only at slow speeds.
My idea is: install a 10" to 15" (preferably just a 10") straight between the switch and the curved track section, so that the engine and consist don't go immediately into the corner after going through the switch. Any chance that this will solve the problem? To do this, I'll have to extend my benchwork by 10" at the affected end, so if it is not going to be a cure, I don't want to waste my time. Anyone have a similar problem and/or a fix?? Thanks a lot.

[lionelsoni]

Is it possible that the weight of the locomotive is moving things around enough to momentarily ground the control rail for the diverging path, either through a fault in the switch or a missing, damaged, or bridged insulator on the curved control rail where it connects to the first section of track in the diverging path? This could throw the switch, however briefly, under the train. You could check this out by running through the switch with the switch power off.