Switches

[Anonymous]

My locomotive seems to lose power while going through all three of my Lionel left hand # 6-65167 042 remote 027 gauge switches. It seems to be ok in either side of the switch and I don't have any probleme with my K-Line switches. I hooked them up so that they are on constant power not track power. The non-derailing works ok.

[wrmcclellan]

Vern,

Roll a lighted caboose (one with a single pickup roller) slowly across the switch and watch where the roller is on the center rail. Examine if the light goes out in the caboose and note the exact location of the roller. This will help to determine where the problem is.

There is a possibility that if the loco in question is equipped with traction tires, the loco is losing connection to the outside common (some call it ground) rails while moving through the switch. Keep in mind that one outside rail on the switch is isolated to implement the non-derailing feature, so only one outside rail provides the common connection for the power supply to the loco.

If Bob Nelson (Lionelsoni) signs on, he may have some additional experience with the problem you describe.

Regards,
Roy

[lionelsoni]

All have to add, Roy, is the generalization that some locomotives can't handle some switches: The pickups sometimes just happen to be located so that they are both on insulated areas at the same time. Sometimes it is possible to add another pickup to the circuit, like wiring a whistle pickup from a tender into a steam locomotive.