MTH Tinplate Switches

tinguy,

   Be careful when shoping for switches that will accommodate Tin Plate Trains, according to Steve at Ross the name Tin Plate Switches is a designation meaning they were designed to be used with Tin Plate Track, however Ross has not tested the running of Pre War Tin Plate Trains on these new swithces, MTH has done no testing at all that I know of with the 042 switches as far as Tin Plate running goes.  On my next layout I will purchase a couple sets of both MTH 042 and new Ross 072 switches and test them with both MTH & Lionels Pre War tin plate trains.  For further information I would call both MTH & Ross and talk before you do any major switch purchasing for your Tin Plate trains.  So far only my old Lionel 711 & 072 switches repetitively accommodate all my Tin Plate Engines and Rolling stock.

PCRR/Dave

tinguy-

 

I presume you are referring to the MTH Standard Gauge 42" reproduction switches of the Lionel switches and not O gauge, correct. If so, these have been reliable switches in my experience and i believe most users are quite happy with them.

 

MTH also makes a 72" Standard Gauge switch which is apparently not a well designed product. Just what I have read as I do not own the 72" Standard Gauge switches.

 

Mack

Yes I'm looking for 042 Standard gauge switches.

 

Tin

"...and i believe most users are quite happy with them."

Not me.

MTH 42" STDG turnouts have a history of not working properly at all. Early big gear locos hop over the check rails. Later loco pickups get caught on the frog. The check rail clearance is too wide for Lionel #36 series trucks and they derail (I had to put wood filler pieces in to fix). The linkage is prone to getting dirty easily and not throwing. The metal parts fatigue and break pretty easy. The motor is not that strong.

Not really a good turnout.

Original Lionel prewar turnouts are much better.

MTH 72" turnouts seem to throw better but have similar problems. Big gears hop easier over the plastic frog and check rails at least.

Do a search for prewar American Flyer turnouts and see how they are designed with no frog. Very early manual Lionel #22 turnouts have a similar design. But some parts of the rail have to be well insulated for them to work right.

No existing SDTDG 42" turnout is really "good". Even the Ryd-In one has flaws.

That's why the new Ross STDG turnout is kind of a big deal. Wish he would make it in 42" curve.

What turnout works for you really depends upon what STDG loco you are running.

"MTH Standard Gauge 42" reproduction switches...reliable switches in my experience and i believe most users are quite happy with them."

Agreed.

MrNabisco is correct. I have six pair of the #222 that are still in use after all these years. You'll have to shop around for those in good to exellent condition. Haven't been to York, however, odds are you might find some. You might check the TCA "Prewar For Sale" board. The hunt is the best part...IMHO

God Bless,

Pappy

TCA TTOS

Hi,

  I'm using a Lionel 318 loco and a 385 Steam engine.

 

Tin

Mack,

   How in the world did you know he was talking about STD Gauge?

That changed everything

PCRR/Dave

Sorry about that, I forget there's "O" size Tinplate as well.

 

Tin

PCRR Dave-

 

you asked:

 

Mack,

   How in the world did you know he was talking about STD Gauge?

That changed everything

PCRR/Dave

 

Tinguy  asked:how are the MTH 42" Switches? I figured he was referring to Standard Gauge since 42" is the traditional standard gauge curve radius and switch radius.

 

I got lucky; my presumptions are usually wrong!!!

 

Regards,

Mack

Any difference between the black 223 and the green 223 switches?

 

Tin

No difference. The 223 is the non-derailing. The 222 does not have this feature. If you are looking at the ones on E-Bay they are missing the cover for the light and controllers. These parts are readily available.

Thank you, some on there the part that hold the cover are broken off,

thank you for the part info.

I have a left and right set in green 223 style.  My 384 and # 10 run through them with no problems but my # 38 loco with the one slider pickup will stall out in the switch at slow speeds.  I just speed up before the switch and the # 38 will slide through it.  I like them.

Hi,

  Just got off ebay two green 222 switches if they work, is there any problems

using them instead of the 223 switches?

 

Tin

tinguy,

Congratulations on your purchase. I was going to buy the same set just for parts. I prefer the 222 over the 223. The motors seem to be stronger IMHO. They're old school reliable units.

God Bless,

Pappy

TCA TTOS

Nope.  Just don't expect automatic anti-derailing.  Both of your locos should be small gear super motor (318) and Bild-a-Loco (385).  They should have no wheel gear / check rail clearance issues with the 222s.

Thanks Look forward to using them.

Hi,

  Been trying out the 222 switches and my big guy the 1385 runs right over

them. The 318 has the large gear on the wheels so when going in one

direction it hops over the switch looking to jump out off the track, when

I reverse the Loco with the gears on the opposite side it works okay.

would the 223 switches work better or the same with the 318 loco???

 

Tin