Lionel prewar 711 turnout troubleshooting

[James Huff]

So after removing all the rust from my pair of 711 turnouts and turning on the power to the track I notice that both 711 switches seem to throw all the way in one direction, but don't completely throw in the other direction leaving a very small gap between the outside rail and the point blades. How can I remedy this? My 711 switches dont have the non derailling feature nor do they have a fixed voltage outlet

[ADCX Rob]

While this tutorial covers the 022 in depth, the adjustments for the throw contacts are the same. Click on this link:

Servoguy 022/711 Repairs

[James Huff]

ADCX Rob

While this tutorial covers the 022 in depth, the adjustments for the throw contacts are the same. Click on this link:

Servoguy 022/711 Repairs

 

Thanks! Servoguy mentions of putting a drop of oil in the solenoid but he doesnt say what type of oil to put in the solenoid. Also how do i upgrade my 711 turnouts with fixed voltage outlets and is it possible to convert these turnouts to have non derailing?

[ADCX Rob]

Mobil 1 oil.

Use the switch machines from 022 switches to get the fixed voltage feature.

The non-derailing is a whole 'nuther problem, but it can be done in the same fashion as with the 1121 O-27 switches:

[James Huff]

ADCX Rob

Use the switch machines from 022 switches to get the fixed voltage feature.

I tried that. The 711 turnouts have completely different screw sizes from the 022 turnouts making them seem incompatible each other.

[ADCX Rob]

James Huff

The 711 turnouts have completely different screw sizes from the 022 turnouts making them seem incompatible each other.

The switch machines need to be from the same era.

[James Huff]

ADCX Rob

The switch machines need to be from the same era.

 

 

 

Ok that makes sense realizing that all 15 022 turnouts I have are postwar with a few having screw type lamp sockets. 

I would really like to have these 711 turnouts operate via fixed voltage. Since the holes for the screws on the postwar 022 motor boxes wont line up with the 711 turnouts, how do I add fixed voltage to the 711 motor boxes? I used to have 1121 027 turnouts before I got serious with running my prewar and postwar Lionel trains as I transitioned from using 027 tubular and fasttrack to 0 gauge tubular track. 

 

[ADCX Rob]

James Huff

...how do I add fixed voltage to the 711 motor boxes?

Cut the common hot wire that connects the coils to the center rails and connect it instead to your fixed voltage supply.

[James Huff]

Update on the 711 turnouts The great news: while removing the rusty pins from the 711 turnouts, I put fibre pins in the outside rails and ran my 2245 Texas speciaL and purpusly set the turnouts against the f3 and to my surprise the turnouts threw back in the correct position! The nit so great news: The nonderailing feature on one of the 711 turnouts won't respond on one of the Two directions set against the f3. I tried other postwar locos including my 221 streamlined Hudson, 224 and 675, 2037, 2055 Santa Fe Hudson, 726rr Berkshire and 624 chessapeake & ohio switcher all derailed as well trying my prewar locos 265e, 150, 249e, and 262e all derailed on that one side i thought maybe the prewar locos would have had better luck but the nonnderail wouldn't activate. The bad news: the same turnout with the nonderailing feature not working on the straight part of the turnout it's motor box center terminal post is now loose.