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Hello, and thanks to anyone who can give me some help with a problem I am having with a Fastrack switch. The basic problem is that the switch jams or locks when it is thrown. The jam can be cleared by applying slight downward pressure to the plastic slide plate that actually causes the swivel rails to move at which time the swivel rails can be moved to the correct position manually. This failure occurs close to 100% of the time. The weird thing is that after the first switch did this, I replaced it with a second switch that had been working and it started doing the same thing. I removed the second switch from the layout and removed the bottom plate. I also removed and checked the switch stand but found no problem either with the stand of the switch mechanics. I am very poor with electronic so I was not able to check that area of operation. As soon as I reassembled the switch and replaced it on the layout, it would not work correctly. All other switch on the layout work properly. My guess is that there is some type of alignment issue which prohibits the slide plate from completing its movement. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Sometimes these switches need slight adjustments to work correctly. I've had to open up a number of mine and make small adjustments in the switch throw mechanism to make it work smoothly. Can't tell you exactly what to adjust each one is different. sometimes it's tightening or loosing a screw or smoothing a plastic part to work correctly.

Gentlemen,

Thanks for your responses. I agree that the issue appears to be mechanical, and I am also aware that these switches often need adjustment to work correctly, and I also know that asking for help online is like asking a mechanic to diagnose a car problem over the phone - almost impossible to do. Again what I found strange was that two switches ended up having the exact same problem. Next time I am over at my son's house (the layout was a gift to my grandson for his 3rd birthday) I will spend more time tinkering with it. Wish me luck!

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