Greetings! I have several pairs of Lionel 711 0-72 switches that are in various conditions and I would like to restore them for a layout that I am building. I have my own plating equipment to do tin plate and I would like to know if the rails are able to come off of the metal bases? Thank you for your response(s) in advance.
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No, they don't - the base is diecast zamac and the tabs don't stand too much bending. I would just polish what you can and leave them alone. The 711 and 721 (manual) are very reliable and far better than the modern era 072's.
Reviving this thread for an analogous question: in the pair of 711s I got awhile back, no matter what I do the two control rails cannot be made to come into plane with the rest of the switch - meaning, they sit vertically "proud" and cause derailments when approached head-on. Given that each of the control rails is only held by one tie, I wonder how they stayed in place when new, but I digress. Is there any trick to getting them to stay in-place vertically (and horizontally as well, to remain in gauge) without re-tie-ing (is that a verb?) and hoping for a tighter, more square alignment to be produced?
Have you tried bending up the bottom flanges to horizontal, to lower the vertical height of the rail?
The tabs that hold the back of the rail are missing. Most likely broken or smoothed off. There are 2 styles of 711 switches. One with the anti-derailer action near the frog, the other on the exit rail as shown on your insulated rails that are missing the tabs and insulators. It is hard to get these switches in good condition and matching. The early version have a problem with lighted cars tripping the switch because of the anti-derailer placement. They all have age and use problems.
Ross makes a set that are drop in replacements. That is whay I did to finally fix my 711 switches.
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