Lionel 022 switches, can they be saved?

[tsgtbob]

I recently pulled my 022 switches from the basement, where my wife had stored them in an old suitcase. The suitcase drew damp, and rusted the rails on these, and some OCS track sections.
Can these switches be saved, are there replacement rails available, or should I just replace 'em?
Some of them have sentimental value, as they came with the train that I got when I was a kid.
I had considered using a scotchbrite wheels in my die grinder to clean off the rust, but what can I use to re-coat the rail sides to prevent future corrosion?

[dougdagrump]

WD-40 ?

[Birds]

There are a couple places on the web that sell the parts. They have on-line or PDF parts catalogs.

Lionel's website is probably the best place to start. Go to the "For the Hobbyist" link and then select the "Customer Service" tab. You will find a drop down menu option for parts and diagrams. These will give you exploded views of the item you enter including part numbers. They have diagrams for the O-27 switches. The diagrams will also tell you if the parts are available (base plates don't appear to be). Once you have the part numbers you can go to a different menu option to find the price. You can also order the parts on-line.
(http://www.lionel.com/ForTheHobbyist/Findex.cfm)


"Train Repair Parts" also sells the parts (same price) and you can download the catalog in a PDF version. Here is their link:
http://www.hobbysurplus.com/trainrepairparts.asp

[wrmcclellan]

tsgtbob,

It would be a lot of work to replace the rails. You may wi***o work over your sentimental value units, but I would just replace the rest. You can get new ones or you can easily find vintage 022s at train shows in the range of $20-25 each in great shape. I purchased a box of them (10 pcs - most were good or better and the rest for parts) for $75 at a show a couple of years ago. Buying some junkers with good rails would be an excellent way to get replacement parts for the ones you wi***o keep.

Olsen's has the PDFs of the repair manuals on-line.

http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=673

Let us know how we can help if you need it.

Regards,
Roy