K-Line K3180-0913S 0-4-0, chuff switch.

I get them Lionel. They call them cherry switches. Most other suppliers stock them like digikey and allelectronics. Just make sure the dimensions match.

https://www.allelectronics.com...s-snap-action/1.html

Pete

Jeff, also check to see if the switch is making good contact on the cam lobe it rides on, ......I find a lot of Klines and even some Lionel’s need to have the bracket “tweaked” downwards to get a better contact on the cam, ....I don’t recommend trying to tweak the switch’s arm, as this can disturb the components inside the switch rendering it useless, .....if you see the switch is just barely making the tell tale “click” remove the switch from the bracket, and just give a little ehhh on the bracket....then put the switch back on and double check by rotating the motor in your hand and observing the switch action, ....you shouldn’t be going thorough switches like this, unless they’re being drowned in smoke fluid, .....

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Jeff, also check to see if the switch is making good contact on the cam lobe it rides on, ......I find a lot of Klines and even some Lionel’s need to have the bracket “tweaked” downwards to get a better contact on the cam, ....I don’t recommend trying to tweak the switch’s arm, as this can disturb the components inside the switch rendering it useless, .....if you see the switch is just barely making the tell tale “click” remove the switch from the bracket, and just give a little ehhh on the bracket....then put the switch back on and double check by rotating the motor in your hand and observing the switch action, ....you shouldn’t be going thorough switches like this, unless they’re being drowned in smoke fluid, .....

Pat

Did you say smoke fluid???

No comment.

@Jeff T posted:

Did you say smoke fluid???

No comment.

Gotcha, ....yeah, they don’t make good submarines though,......if this is a reoccurring flooding of the cherry switch, see if you can fashion some sort of plastic roof over it, I myself would make it out brass, and it’d be all ornate, and blah,blah, blah, ....but the chances of somebody having brass come into contact with things that go poof, would be too great .....a piece of plastic, away from the heat of the smoke element of course, might help it from getting drowned like a river rat,....sounds like maybe a drain plug is in order??....😆😆😆

Pat

Jeff, just to follow up on what Pat said about the bracket, before ordering a new switch just check it out with an ohmmeter. If it consistently closes and gives a zero ohm reading the switch is probably OK and only an adjustment is needed.

Pete