Update on Lionel O guage switches

[Blueberryhill RR]

Well, today I called Lionel about the problems with "0-31" switches. The very polite gal told me that Lionel had no policy on exchanging the 0-31's for 0-22's. Being that I bought them in 2001, and just opened the box, does not matter. They are over a year old and not honored on the warranty. And, she had no further information for me after consulting with someone else.
Soooo, I thought I would share that with you guys. If anyone else has had this problem and found a solution to it, other than throwing them in the trash, I would appreciate a response. I will try to use them on sidings for now.
Chuck[:(]

[Anonymous]

Okay, that was one small step. Now the next step is to send a letter to the V.P. of Quality Assurance. E-mails are too easily ignored.

[Blueberryhill RR]

That's a good idea, mickeyg
Thanks, Chuck

[Kooljock1]

These switches were at least a year old when you bought them. They were first cataloged by L-T-I in 1995, and last cataloged in 2000, and replaced by the new "old" O-22's by 2001 Book 1.

Having said that, I've found that if you get a good one, they will out-perform the O-22's by a long shot, no maintenence needed. Problem is, about 30% of them were bad. I'm not sure if this was due to engineering or material cost cutting, but the result was a turn-out with a great concept and bad execution.

Jon [8D]

[Anonymous]

I bought a lionel diesel engine that was 2 years old. It was brand new and sat on a shelf. When I recieved the engine one of the trucks was not turning. I called the seller and told him. He told me to send it to lionel. So I called lionel and told them the problem. They asked when I bought the engine and I told them. She asked if I had the receipt and I told her yes.The did not just believe me and I had to send in the receipt. The receipt had the date I bought the engine. They gave me a return number and I sent the engine away. I included a copy of the receipt and a description of the problem. They fixed the engine and sent it back to me.

[pennsy_fan]

I've got about 10 of the "031's"and use them in my current layout. They're great for close spacing of tracks. Although I only use them for sidings and a small yard. Ive had problems with postwar rolling stock de-railing on them. I have over come the inherent problems with them by replacing the post-war wheels & axles with the modern "fast-angle" wheels . also I use gargrave switches for my mainline turn-outs.

I'm going to eventually go w/ross switches and Gargraves track all around. I do not recommend these finicky switches unless you can find a unbelievably low price on them, however.[V]