Sparking switches

[lionelsoni]

The parking danger is only with Lionel O27 switches. Much has been written on the forum about modifying them to reduce buzzing and make them safe.

[FJ and G]

Man I love bright blue sparks. I may create some gaps just to get the sparks going.

The DC metro that runs between the 2 lanes of I-66 in Virginia sparks a lot & looks really cool at night as you're driving along trying to keep pace with the 70mph metro train with an eye in the rearview for cops

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roger Bielen

Another caution is not to park a car/engine on the switch since with this completing the circuit to the selonoid it wil cause the selonoid to overheat and fail, I speak from past experience. [*^_^*]

GEE, I'm in trouble again. I park my engines and cars on the switches all the time and never had a problem. Why would my MTH RealTrack not be burning out?[?][?][?]

[Anonymous]

Yes, they are the non-derailing type. As long as it is normal, I don't mind. I just want to make sure I wasn't messing anything up.
Thanks.

[Roger Bielen]

If the switches have the non-derailing feature, change automatically when a train approaches from the open branch, this is common since the wheels are being used to close the circuit causing the switch to change, especially is the track of wheels are somewhat dirty. Another caution is not to park a car/engine on the switch since with this completing the circuit to the selonoid it wil cause the selonoid to overheat and fail, I speak from past experience. [*^_^*]

[Anonymous]

I am running a 90's era O27 engine on a multi-loop track powered by a Lionel SW transformer and 4 lockons. Every time the train crosses the switches (there are 6) the engine and caboose spark quite a bit. I have the two inner rails of the switch(small "v") insulated according to the instructions (these are 90's era swiches) and everything works well they just spark.
I have cleaned the wheels and switches but no change.
Any ideas?