Switches

[Anonymous]

I purchased Aristo-Craft track and switches. I set up an indoor layout to try things out. None of the equipment I have, which includes Bachman, Aristo-Craft and LGB will go through these switches without derailing most of the time. Most of my equipment has two axle trucks. The wheels appear to climb the points before reaching the frog. This occurs when pulling the train with a locomotive or when pushing or pulling the train or car by hand to observe the problem. Does anyone have any experience with these switches or encountered similar problems?

[cokeoven]

This is a problem that is very annoying but can easily be fixed. All you have to do is insert a file into the frog and file down the frogs to make them deeper. This allows the wheel to pass over without skipping.

[altterrain]

Yes, its a common complaint. I grind out my frogs with a dremel tool with a bit like this -

I think its number is #9901 or 9903, about $10. Its easier to control with the dremel set to a higher speed (4/5 on my dremel).

-Brian 

[kstrong]

Check out the "Garden Railways Basics" columns in the February and April issues of GR. I wrote about switches, and the common problems that plague them. What's happening in your case is that the point isn't 100% smooth to the stock rail, so the flange wants to ride up over it. Filing a slight taper on the tip of the point will most likely eliminate that problem for you. Diagrams are in the articles. (Problems/solutions are covered in the April installment.)

Later,

K

[Tom The Brat]

You have 2 answers to problems you don't have.

Sounds like there's a burr on the point that the flange catches on. You can touch these up with a tiny file in a flash. You didn't say which switch you have, Aristo makes 4.

 

[altterrain]

You have 2 answers to problems you don't have.

Sounds like there's a burr on the point that the flange catches on. You can touch these up with a tiny file in a flash. You didn't say which switch you have, Aristo makes 4.

 

Okay , but once he gets the points fixed he'll have that frog problem!

-Brian 

[kimbrit]

Aristo switches can be very annoying. Also check that the switching rail is making upto the stock rail for the diverging track, you may well find there's a small gap just big enough to let the flange of the wheel through, in effect the car is trying to go both ways. You can bend the tip of the switching rail over a touch to make up with the stock rail and all will be well.

Cheers,

Kim

[jerryl]

Iv'e had all the same problem with Aristo. switches + The hardware rusted & failed, the rivet that held the track to the throw bar rusted away.  Took them up & changed all the hardware to Stainless Steel, put them back & the wiring under the switch went. Took them up again, soldered new wires .   Got a Lehman porter & no matter what I did it would derail while backing thru the turnout.  ( yes, I did deepen the flanges).  Tore them up for the last time & replaced them with LGB...... NO trouble for over 5 years.   Jerry

[cacole]

I have some 19 or 20 AristoCraft switches on my layout, both stainless and brass, and have had none of these problems with any of them.  I run Bachmann 1:20 scale and live steam, and only one turnout has ever shown signs of a problem other than the points jamming and having to be pushed by hand.

Maybe Aristo has changed their design or source of manufacture in the past year or so.

People in the Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona areas have begun to report crosstie deterioration on Aristo track from the intensity of the sun, and are changing to LBG.  So far, my track seems to be holding its own.