Lionel post war 022, 072switch issue,

Jerry,

Determine where the outage is and install some jumpers.

Good luck, John 

I think it depends on the item, but it could also be the switch itself.

If the item that's stopping is a 50 Gang car or a 60 trolley or a small scout loco (e.g., 1060), the item itself could be the problem.  Sometimes the pickups of a smaller Lionel loco or motorized unit are spaced in such a way that they have trouble making it over the gaps in a switch or crossover.

If this isn't the case and an item like a FM Trainmaster has to be pushed off the switch, then you've got a track problem.   The pickups on a longer engine like that are almost a foot apart so they should easily bridge any gaps.

A quick sleuthing fix would be to do as John D. suggests above and put lockons just outside all three points of entry to the switch.  You can wire these fairly easily and quickly to see if the problem continues after the jumpers are in place.  If this solves the issue, take the lockons off and solder wire leads into place for a permanent fix.  

If adding a temporary jumper does NOT solve the issue, then the sheet steel jumper that is internal to the switch might have come loose. (I'm assuming you're talking about O22's.  Prewar 711 O72 switches are different.)  If this is an O22 issue, turn the switch upside down, remove the sheetmetal screws that hold the black stamped steel base in place and remove the base from the switch.  (You'll also need to remove the switch motor since the steel base hooks into it.)  Remove the piece of paper that insulates everything from the base of the switch and examine the unpainted piece of steel that bridges all the rails.  I have seen situations where one or more of the points on which this piece of metal is soldered to the rails breaks and needs to be resoldered.

If you have a few moments this weekend, please try all of the above and let us know how it goes.

HTH. 

Steven J. Serenska

Jerry, it would be helpful if you identified which engines stall and which engines don't, and whether this happens on all switches of the same type, or just on certain switches. O72 switches have somewhat longer electrical gaps for the center rail and I've had some locos stall on them at slow speeds. Sometimes you can just run them faster to avoid stalling.

One basic check you can do on all switches: with track power on, use a test light to check for power on all parts of all rails through the switch. If everything is OK there, then it's time to look at the locos, especially the center rail pickups.

Check for dirty wheels and rails, clean as required.

Postwar Lionel switches have a number of mechanically crimped connections to deliver track power to the various rails. Sometimes these get oxidized over time. I generally solder these connections when I rebuild old switches.

For reference, I found a picture of your layout in one of your previous posts. Pretty good size!

Much thanks for all your help with my problem. I will definitely go ahead when I get a chance checkout the switches. One all the engines I am having a problem with is a 622 Switcher, post-war Lionel. When it is going slow it has a tendency to stop on some of the switches. I'm wondering if it could be an e unit issue?.? It seems to get betterafter the engine warms up.

Again, thank you for getting me through  my layout issus.

Jerry

Jerry,

   With the size of your nice layout, I would be powering all the 072 & 022 switches with their own power supply, prefer an old ZW so you can alter the power as required.  I would also replace all the conventional bulbs with LED's in the switch and the controller both.  If you are having a problem with just one engine, it's the engine not the switches.  Most likely the spacing on the rollers of the engine is causing your problems.

PCRR/Dave

Jerry A posted:

... One all the engines I am having a problem with is a 622 Switcher, post-war Lionel. When it is going slow it has a tendency to stop on some of the switches. I'm wondering if it could be an e unit issue?.? It seems to get betterafter the engine warms up...  

Jerry

Suggest you check that both center rail pickups are connected and working. Also check that all loco wheels have good ground connection to the frame and motor.

Thanks again for ll the help. I do have the switches set up with constant voltage.

Best to all, Jerry