I have a Lionel Fastrack switch that sparks (& makes noise) when the wheels of every car passes over the beginning of the switch, near where the non derail rail is cut. I have this problem with only 1 of about 40 switches. It occurs on the straight portion of the switch, after the turnout track. I am not sure what to do next, or what I need to check, clean or change to resolve this issue.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
If nothing obvious presents itself externally, my suspect would be the internal crimps of the track connections. I typically take my Fastrack switches apart and solder all the crimps that actually have to carry current or connect to internal wiring. Lionel depends on a folded over tin contact, not exactly the most reliable connection ever conceived! I had a number of issues with the switch having high resistance to current passing through, that could account for your issue.
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