fastrack problem

Top suspect is poor crimps inside the switch.  For some reason, Lionel thinks a bent piece of tin through a slot is sufficient for an electrical connection!  I open them up and solder all the crimps that have any purpose other than holding the rails on.

Is there any diagrams? not to dispute your superior knowlegde but why would the switch keep throwing with every passing car.ialso notice heavier cars dont derail.it looks like frog isnt in right position even when switch is in straight position

and also thanks for the reply.

My suspicion is electrical noise is triggering the switching.  If the switch is actually physically moving on it's own without being triggered when cars go over it, that would be my top suspect.

The fact that the switch track isn't fully seated in each position may be a separate issue with the internal limit switches.

If it occurs with every passing car, maybe the antiderail is wired backwards.

My question as well: the possibility the anti-derails are wired backwards.

what wires are the anti derail

@John H posted:

If it occurs with every passing car, maybe the antiderail is wired backwards.

@geysergazer posted:

My question as well: the possibility the anti-derails are wired backwards.

Maybe one of the antiderail rails is making contact with the live rail on a connecting piece of track?

So, just to clarify, does it happen only when trains/rolling stock are passing over the switch or does it happen randomly when no trains or cars are nearby ?

Are you running your layout in command mode? (TMCC or Legacy?)

If so, have you tried powering up the layout and leaving TMCC/Legacy off?   Just throwing this out there to help narrow the issue

@kranky posted:

what wires are the anti derail

Here is a link to a discussion on this Forum of what may well be your problem:

https://ogrforum.com/...omotive-runs-over-it

There is a wiring diagram most of the way down the page.

Part way down the discussion GRJ put up a pic of the underside of a switch. The wires that run from the anti-derail rails to the control circuit board are the blue wire and the green wire bottom center in the pic. You can see one of the spade connectors in the pic.

it occured before i had TMCC with TMCC.if i back into the turnout cars go in different directions causing derailment. on a straight run I notice lighter cars derail.my heavier atlas cars seem to pass problem free.once again I thank everyone who has replied.you are all generous with your time and patience with a novice like me.another reason to be thankful on this thanksgiving week.