Issues with 022 Switches

[flatpickn]

I am having trouble with my 022 switches. They're fairly new (less than 10 years old). I've always had a bit of a derailment problem on one in particular when running through it as a facing point. Recently I bought a 0-6-0 tank engine that derails about every other trip. The small drive wheels drop down in front of the point and then bounce the whole engine up as the wheels ride up over the frog. I've read everything I can find on the subject. These switches have the plastic frogs.

Is it true that the plastic frogs have more derailment issues? If so, how do you identify metal frogs from a picture such as in ebay?

Can I grind/file down the plastic frog? How thick is the plastic? Is the frog hollow?

Thanks

Tom

 

 

 

[servoguy]

All the 022 switches have plastic frogs.  I think your problem is with the engine and not the switches.  I have 86 022 switches, and do not have derailment problems with any of them.  This includes a 0-4-0 dockside switcher.  I posted a long set of instructions on restoring 022 switches on this forum.  Search with Google for "022/711 switch operating pblms" and you will find it.  The forum search engine can't find it.

BTW, is this a Lionel engine you are having trouble with?  What is the number of the engine?

[servoguy]

Are you sure you have 022 switches?  The problems you are having are typical of 3010 & 3011 switches.

Check the gauge on the wheels of the loco, and check to see that the axles are not bent.  If the axles are bent, grab the wheel with a pair of ordinary pliers and bend the axle until it is straight.  My dockside switcher had bent axles apparently because someone dropped it.  Be gentle, the axles bend easily.

[Seayakbill]

I have 86 022 switches, and do not have derailment problems with any of them.  This includes a 0-4-0 dockside switcher. 

 

WOW, are they all in operation on your layout, if so, that is one gigantic amount of switching duties.

[ADCX Rob]

servoguy

...Search with Google for "022/711 switch operating pblms" and you will find it.  The forum search engine can't find it...

Forum search worked perfectly:

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=022%2f711+switch+operating+pblms+AND+sectionid%3a95&o=Relevance

 

[flatpickn]

It is a Lionel Tank Engine C&O #67 (not sure of the Lionel number, it isn't indicated on the unit).

Checked. No bent axles and the gauge is correct.

All of my switches are marked as 022 on the top housing. I'm not sure what a 3010/3011 switch looks like.

The one switch that is giving me this problem has always had derailment issues (I bought it new) when approached as a facing point. Lead trucks on post war steamers. Lighter cars, especially scout style hoppers with plastic trucks, etc. I couldn't tell for sure what was happening. It was the 0-6-0 dockside that really showed the problem, you can see the whole engine skip as the front wheel hits the nose of the frog. It'll bounce the front of the engine up and most of the times it lands correctly sometimes it doesn't. This is not at any great speed but faster than a creep. I prefer realistic track speeds so I am not running anything overly fast through that turnout.. If I run the dockside through that switch at my track speed it will derail at least every few times through the switch. If I run it through there at what are typical toy train speeds, it'll derail almost every time.

 

 

[flatpickn]

I printed that whole discussion out with the intent of pulling that switch from the layout and going through it. Before I did though, I wanted to make sure there wasn't an inherent flaw in newer 022 switches.

I have noticed one thing that may contribute to the issue. All of my switches are a little higher than my Lionel track so with the tracks screwed down to the plywood there's a bit of a ramp leading up to the switch. I'm going to also use some wood shims to ease that ramp a little.

 

[flatpickn]

I found the Lionel instructions for 3010 & 3011. The switches I have a definitely not 3010 or 3011.