Some of my newer engines, especially my favorite engines, Lionel ES44AC BNSFs hit the manual throw pin on the Z Stuff Switch Machine when diverted to the turn out. To solve the problem I called Z stuff to see if they have longer spring so we could off set the machine and clear the engine. They do not have any longer springs. There suggestion was to use a 16 or 15 guitar string for the wire and make your own. #15 is the same as .015 Inch and #16 is .016 inch thick. Either wire works well. I used what is called a 3 point plier from my dental office. It turns out to be very easy to bend the wire and it works. The strings are $.89 each at the Guitar Center. The 3 point pliers are a little pricy from Henry Schein (http://www.henryschein.com) item Plier 200 Standard Clasp Ea #1008740 $34. Supposedly Micro Mark has something cheaper that will work.
Plow hits switch machine manual throw stem on Lionel ES44AC
Stem removed to allow clearance on Layout for immediate cure. Bad Move!
#15 guitar string to be used for custom springs
3 point dental plier to make angle bends, 0-appx 135 degrees
Top spring is longer than bottom Z Stuff original spring allowing machine offset
90 degree bend with one squeeze
Start of multiple bends
Summary, guitar string makes great material for springs.
Dental pliers make it pretty easy.
Thanks for looking
Buzz
