Dump Car uncouples on Atlas switch, Why?

[Fred Bear]

Does anyone out there know the answer to that one? The car is one of the metal deals with the plunger that knocks the logs off, has the metal stakes for standards. When it runs over an Atlas switch, it uncouples, any ideas? thanks, Jake

[USNRol]

Hi Jake,  Your dump car has electro couplers doesn't it? and sliding shoe pickups which pick up the uncouple voltage from the remote track section when you want to uncouple.  These sliding shoes have two ridges on either side of a center channel which has in the middle of it the rivet head which serves as the actual electrical contact.  In every case except for when properly positioned on the remote track section, the sliding shoes and their ridges are supposed to keep the rivet head up off any portion or part of track/switches which might carry track voltage so as to prevent the electro coupler from activating.  Sometimes these shoes will get very loose to the point where they may c o c k and allow the rivet head to contact electrified portions of the switch as the car moves through it.  I've fixed this problem via strategic application of electrical tape to the offending parts on the switch, or by filing down the rivet head if it is too pronounced (or the bakelite ridges are worn down) or replacing the sliding shoe assembly altogether.

If your unconcerned with the losing the ability to remotely uncouple you could apply tape to the rivet head on each sliding shoe instead.

Other options could be replacing the truck assemblies on your dump car with magnetically activated coupler equipped trucks. 

Roland

[Fred Bear]

Thanks much, I do appreciate your help, Respectfully, Jake

[ajzend]

I found that tape comes off too easily.  Since I would like to run some early postwar with my Atlas switches I came up with a solution.  I use thin nylon electrical wire cables to run around the truck and through the shoe.  This elevates the shoe and blocks the electrical contact of the shoe.  Another reason to elevate the shoes is that eventually it can get knocked off by its keep hitting the rails on the switches.

ajzend

[lionelsoni]

You can retract a shoe by wrapping an insulated solid wire around the plastic shoe at the top, using wire thick enough to hold the shoe in the up position and to stay in place from the friction.  You can restore them to their original function whenever you want.

[Fred Bear]

Thanks much again! I appreciate all the tips. I have a shoe that came with the switch that might be good for that same thing, not real sure, probably outta read the instructions with the switch! Jake

[Anonymous]

Fred,

Try inserting the plastic shoe that came with the Atlas switch.  It's mentioned in the instructions.  I had a small problem with a couple of my switches.  One of my locomotives, the pickup roller appears to hang a bit lower than the othes.  Depending on the direction the locomotive was traveling across the switch, the pickup roller would drop in to the V shaped channel and cause a derail/snag.  After inserting the plastic shoes into the channel it fixed my issue.

Jerry

[Fred Bear]

Thanks Jerry, I suspected that might do it, glad to hear someone had some luck with it, Jake

[Anonymous]

I'm just lucky that I still had those little pieces.  I didn't install them initially when I installed the switches.  This issue just started happening with one of my locomotives and I haven't had time to take it into the shop.  I may not worry about it since not it appears the issue is resolved.

Hope it works for you.

Jerry