Non Derailing Switches in a double dogbone question . . . Solved!

[Bob Baker]

Good Evening,

 

I have an upper double dogbone loop on my layout.  I'd like to be able to run my trains through the switches and have them go through the nonderailing switch either way with no trouble. 

 I have found that in setting them up the standard way, trains will go through a switch that is in the thrown (red) position and come back through the other side with no trouble.  However, when the switch is in the straight, or green position, the train gets derailed coming back through the switch.

Now I have taken out one of the inside insulator rails and it leaves the switch in the thrown position.  Now the trains are going back and forth through the switch just fine, but is that bad on the switch long term to do it that way?  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thank you for your time.

 

                                                           -Bob Baker

[servoguy]

Is the switch chattering when the train is going through the switch?

[Bob Baker]

Good Morning,

 

When I purposely leave the insulator out of one of the guide rails, yes, I get the buzzing sound.

[lionelsoni]

Fully functional non-derailing turnouts should have worked the way you want without any modification.  What kind do you have?

[Bob Baker]

These are Lionel 5121 O27 27" path switches.  Its a Left handed switch.  when it goes through the switch as its thrown (Red) and comes back through, the switch rights itself as it should.  However, when it goes straight through the switch (green) and comes around, it derails as the switch soes not automatically throw back to red when the locomotive hits it.  Thank you for your continued assistance.

 

                                                                             -Bob Baker

[Bob Baker]

Problem Solved Gentlemen,

 

Mental Note:  Remove all electrical tape from switches if you plan to use them in a dogbone.  I had previously placed electrical tape on the switches to prevent shorts.  This worked, but at the expense of inadvertenly modifying the non-derailing feature.  Big Thanks to Mr. Nelson and Servoguy for helping me keep the wheels turning until the problem was solved.  This board is tremendously helpful.  Have an excellent day, all!

[servoguy]

Way to go, Bob.  Congratulations on fixing the problem.

Bruce Baker, servoguy