I am a 75-year-old guy who is getting back into Lionel trains after some years away. I am trying to build a small layout on a tight budget. In an attempt to save money, I purchased 6 old 022 switches. Five of them work just fine, but one refuses to. It wants to stay in one position only, and if I try to switch it, it chatters as long as I hold the switch, and then goes right back to its favorite position. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Be sure you have insulating pins in the short straight rail going into the frog and the outer curved rail.
Remove the base and inspect the steel jumper that goes to the outer curved rail. 90% of the time the solder connection breaks and if the jumper moved, it could be activating the self re-railing feature.
Inspect the fabric covered jumper wire connecting in the base.
If the problem is not there, the issue is in the switch motor or the controller.
Thank you Jon. I will try it and get back to you with the results.
I discovered that the switch actually works when I disconnect it from the adjoining switch. The situation is that I have two switches connected directly together and their connection is the separation between two electrical blocks. I suspect the problem is wrong/not enough fiber pins between the switches.
...The situation is that I have two switches connected directly together and their connection is the separation between two electrical blocks...
Yes, you need three fiber pins at this junction in this configuration. Your steel pin there is the problem.
Excellent! Thank you!
If both your loops are powered separately, then I believe you need to have fiber pins as shown where the blue circles are and your switches should work including the non derailing function, somebody can correct me if wrong
While I have your attention, maybe I should ask one more question. There are seven blocks, but the other switches only serve dead-end sidings that I will be turning on and off as needed with toggle switches. Is there any other location where I need three insulated pins, or is two the correct number for the rest? And finally, thanks for the help guys. Today is my 75th birthday so thanks for the gift of information.
Happy birthday Papa Dave!
Thank you Jerry!
I think the other switches will only need two pins in their proper places.
I have taken some of my old O22 switches apart and resoldered as mentioned in the earlier post. Found an excellent video online a few years ago describing and illustrating this process, will look if you want me to. It looks like you have the fixed voltage plugs wired, good job.
Tinman usually has a good supply of refurbished O22 switches if they are too far gone and your budget allows,
And Happy Birthday!!
Excellent. Thank you Alan.
Use LED bulbs, many a lantern has been melted by conventional bulbs that get hot. I found the video, do a search for o22 switch repair and select videos. The first one should be a you tube video by Train Zone November 3 2017. Very helpful
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
