Lionel 022 Switches: What is this little rail for? Does it carry current?

I’m not a postwar guy but yes, I think it carries the outside current rail voltage.

I don’t know what it does but when I had a postwar layout back in the 80s that had 15 of those switches...about 8 of those used on the layout had that strip missing and it didn’t effect the operation of the switch or the train going over it  at all.

It does not carry current, it is a flange-bearing frog. In our models, it carries the weight of the rolling stock on the flange for this section, as opposed to the tread.

The rail in question just snaps in place, and is not hooked up to any rails. It is not electrically active.

Larry

@ADCX Rob posted:

It does not carry current, it is a flange-bearing frog. In our models, it carries the weight of the rolling stock on the flange for this section, as opposed to the tread.

Correct, as you can see in the picture the wear is on the plate, not on the black plastic that looks like the rail.

Thanks for this excellent advice.

Any idea where I can buy a replacement to snap back in?  Even a used one would be fine.

Mannyrock