0-27 switch problem

[thor]

I have a Lionel 0-27 switch that seems to be causing some problems with my locos and rolling stock but try as I might I cannot isolate the exact cause. Its a new switch and I'm still investigating the problem, but the first time I ran my 2-4-2 through it yesterday, my heaviest and most reliable loco which is an 1130, running at normally safe speeds it launched off the switch with a massive BANG! and dived for the deck.

This was running straight not on the curve. The loco survived the 3' fall to the floor!

Most of my rolling stock jumps a bit going through this switch even slowly and you cant go too slowly because otherwise it triggers the E unit but my K-Line gondola locks up solid. Its uncoupling pin hits something and stops it dead.

I've been running stuff back and forth by hand, I cant really feel anything that way but sometimes the car/loco derails anyway and I've had my niece run trains under power whilst I eyeballed it closeup but I still can't (yet) find the cause of the jump. Hard to believe, I know but there it is.

Is there a known problem with these switches, maybe something one wouldn't normally spot, perhaps I'm looking but not seeing it?

No sarcastic remarks please, I'm not that dimwitted but this is driving me crazy!

[sir james I]

If its an auto. switch, are the fiber pins in the correct rails.Thats usually the problem, check the frog maybe its to high or twisting.

[otftch]

Check the instructions.I believe the two insulated pins should be in the two closest rails where thr track creates a "V".If correct,is there a train car on the siding track close to the switch.If a car is setting there the switch will try to throw itself to the turn every time it throws straight as the train goes through it.

                                  Ed

[lionelsoni]

Not all O27 control rails are in the same places.  What model is it?

[thor]

Thanks to all who replied. I found the answer, the 'throat'(?) is out of gauge. The truck wheels fell down into the gap and thats what caused the bang and jump action. I never realised or thought that was a possibility. Turns out there's quite a bit of variance in gauge between wheelsets and rails. The 027 switch rails aren't very secure at the exit point where only a tab or two holds it to the plastic base. The K-Line gondola is under gauge enough that it falls right down between the rails! Simple really. Thankyou again.

[Brutus]

Thanks for the info guys - I've got 5 of these switches on my o27 layout and one of them sparks a lot and just derailed my loco - I suspect it's the same reason.

[jwse30]

Thanks for the info guys - I've got 5 of these switches on my o27 layout and one of them sparks a lot and just derailed my loco - I suspect it's the same reason.

In my limited experience, when engines or cars cause lots of sparks over the MPC (or newer?)  O27 switches, it's because the rivit holding the moveable "rails" is either worn or too loose, causing them to lift up or twist when weight is applied to one end or the other. Sometimes it can come in contact with the nonmoveable center rail portion above it and cause a short, or hit a pickup roller or slding shoe and cause problems too.

Sorry I'm so vague, I don't know the proper terms for the  pieces I'm trying to describe.

Hope this helps someone,

 

J White

 

[Brutus]

thanks for the info - I'll pull this switch out this weekend and see if the rivet is loose.  I've got a nail set and I think a small piece of steel I could prob use to tighten it up slightly.

[USNRol]

In my limited experience, when engines or cars cause lots of sparks over the MPC (or newer?)  O27 switches, it's because the rivit holding the moveable "rails" is either worn or too loose, causing them to lift up or twist when weight is applied to one end or the other. Sometimes it can come in contact with the nonmoveable center rail portion above it and cause a short, or hit a pickup roller or slding shoe and cause problems too.

Sorry I'm so vague, I don't know the proper terms for the  pieces I'm trying to describe.

Hope this helps someone,

 

J White

Seen the same thing on my new 027 lionel switches...loose swivel rails was how I described it.  I fixed with electrical tape ...lo tech but worked for me.

Roland