022 switch problem

Let's see a large high-res photo looking straight down at #1.  It sounds like something is making the connection from layout ground to the trigger rail(or its circuit) of the straight/through route off the switch. As this is inconsistent, check to see if the weight of the train is shifting the switch or nearby track allowing a connection around the plastic fiber pin of that straight route.

I would look at the insulated rail on the straight leg of your number 1 switch.  Make sure that your fiber pin is keeping the rails apart.  If that is ok, you may have a problem inside.  Look carefully at that insulated rail - if it contacts any ground part of the switch it will throw your switch.

The only thing that is connected beyond switch No. 1 on its straight portion is a semaphore using an insulated track for its connections.

I can certainly understand if the rails are not totally insulated by the fiber pin, then problems can occur, but why only intermittently?  Sometimes the engine will traverse the curve of the switch without a problem.

GG-1fan posted:

but why only intermittently? 

As this is inconsistent, check to see if the weight of the train is shifting the switch or nearby track allowing a connection around the plastic fiber pin of that straight route.

I checked the switch again to see if the rails were touching around the fiber pin.  They were not, nor can they touch with the force of the train going around the curve of the switch.  On both sides of the switch the adjoining tracks (Except where the fiber pin is located before the semaphore) are screwed down.  The switch cannot be moved by manipulation.

Couple of suggestions:

Swap places with switch 1 and switch 2.  Sometimes things happen for unknown reasons.  

Check condition of your fiber pins you are using in switch 1.  One of them could be warped allowing track to touch switch.

Screw down your track if you haven't done that already.  

Remove semaphore and insulated section to see if that is the problem.

Use a track trip instead of an insulated section for your semaphore if that seems to be the issue.

Andy 

I can appreciate the possibility that the semaphore track could be the culprit, but, again, why only intermittently?

I am thinking there may be a problem with the transformer supplying power to the system.  Maybe there are inconsistent voltages being put out that cause electrical abnormalities to this particular switch when it is operated by constant voltage. 

This is a great picture guide for services your switch:

https://ogrforum.com/t...45#40004360093384045

GG-1fan posted:

I can appreciate the possibility that the semaphore track could be the culprit, but, again, why only intermittently?

Not sure - but the best way to keep one's sanity when debugging intermittent problems is to determine the "what" before the "why".  Once you isolate the source of the problem (by removing / swapping things one at a time), it's much easier to focus on determining why the source is causing the problems.  First thing I'd remove is that semaphore (primarily because it's easiest to do so).