O27 "42 switch problem

[servoguy]

I suspect that you have an intermittent short to the non-derailing rail on the curved part of the switch and/or wire to the coil from this rail.  I think the weight of the loco going through the switch is somehow making this short throw the switch.  It is very unlikely that the switch was wired wrong from the factory.  If the divergent path (curved track of the switch) is working OK, this probably rules out the switch being wired wrong.  You can check it with a meter and/or run a car through the switch and see what happens. If the switch appears to work OK, then press down on the car (since the weight of the engine is more than the car) when you run it through the switch to see if you can cause the problem.

Bruce Baker

[cwills2]

Thanks all.  I will try swapping the wires and let you know how it goes.

Chris

[ADCX Rob]

That's more clear - loco only.

The internal wiring is in fact transposed - the wires to the trigger rails(the short isolated rail sections with the fiber/plastic pins) need to be swapped.

Rob

[cwills2]

When going through the straight section, the switch will throw after the train has passed through (at this point I'm only running a single locomotive with no cars for testing.  If I had any cars trailing they would derail).  When coming straight in the opposite direction, it will throw it towards the turnout so the train will then derail.

When going forward into the turnout, it will  throw to straight (green) after the train passes through.  So I need to throw it back myself when bringing the train back onto the main line.  Hope this makes sense :)

Chris

 

[ADCX Rob]

servoguy

How does the train get through the switch if the train causes the switch to throw to the wrong position?

Bruce Baker

I was going to respond to the first post, but I could not wrap my head around that either.

Rob

[servoguy]

If the switch doesn't work properly, you will have to remove the bottom plate and rewire it.  This is not too difficult.

How does the train get through the switch if the train causes the switch to throw to the wrong position?

Bruce Baker

[cwills2]

Hi Lee

It's a Lionel switch.

I will run the test you mentioned.  If this is the case, is it easy enough to re-wire to factory set up?

Chris

[phillyreading]

When you say 027, 42 inch switch, do you mean Lionel or K-Line?

The only differance in operation should be where the insulating pins go. As for the switch throwing everytime a train goes over, it in the opposite direction, would indicate that it is wired differantly than factory set-up. Somebody may have wired the switch for automatic two track or side track switching for a custom layout at a train show.

Test the switch with a jumper wire(or you can use a non motorized car) from the outside rail to the insulated part of the switch, (may need close to full voltage without a train engine) when making contact on the straight section it should stay straight or throw the center guide to the straight position if in the curved position. The curved section should throw the switch to the curved position when in the straight position or stay to the curved position if already there.

Lee F.

[cwills2]

Hi Bruce - Yes I checked that.  I even tried moving the pin on the turnout section from the inside rail to the outside to see what would happen.  Same result.  Txs.

[servoguy]

Do you have the fiber pins installed in the proper places.  There should be 2 pins

Bruce Baker

[cwills2]

Hi all.  Newbie here with a question regarding O27 42" switch.  I installed the switch on my single oval to create a siding for uncoupling.  The switch throws every time a train passes through the straight section.  So each time around the oval, I have to throw it back if I want the train to continue going straight without turning onto the siding.  I'm guessing this has something to do with the non-derailing feature.  Any ideas?  Suggestions?  Txs.