O22 Switches and Insulating Pins

The way the non-derailing feature works is when a train comes in contact with the insulated rail on the switch, if the switch is in the wrong position, it throws. If you don't have an insulating pin in the end of that segment, it will try to throw constantly, and you could burn out the motor.

In the case of your crossover (the curved legs of the two connected right hand switches) both outside rails get an insulating pin.

To ensure power, you might need a lock on or other method of feeding the outside rail. See if the train works. If it stops add the feeder.

DS Texas posted:

How do you utilize the insulating pins to maintain the non-derailing feature of the O22 switches?  How do I ensure power to the track since both outer rails are insulated from each other at this joint?

Easy. Leave the pins where you have them - this is correct.

Connect a single wire to all four center screws on those four 022 switch machines. Daisy chain, home run, "star", or loop, it doesn't matter.

Hello Guys, I just recently joined the forum, and see this conversation took place a couple of years ago, but I have a similar situation in a layout I am planning for later this year. The layout has 11 switches, all O-22. I have a transition from an inner loop to an outer loop exactly as DX Tex encountered in his layout. My problem is that I got the switches used, and from a number of sources, and I don't know if they are wired correctly in the first place.

1. Is there a reference manual or instruction sheet I can find to describe how a non-derailing switch should be wired and insulated?     

2. I gather from ADCX ROB's comment above that assuming the switches were "pinned" correctly to start with, I wouldn't need to make any change, just turn 'em around and push them together.

3. Finally, it would simplify my switch control set up in a couple of spots where two switches would always work together. How do I wire them so that two or more switches throw together? 

Sure appreciate any suggestions,

226E

@Lion L 226E ,Everything you need is here:

Service Docs: http://www.olsenstoy.com/searchcd31.htm?itm=673

Lionel Guide (O22 switches start on pg26): https://ogrforum.com/...sories%20%201954.pdf

DS Texas - I highlighted the control rails with red. As Rob said - leave the pins where they should be - there will be a common in the crossover.

Thanks Tex, I'll give it a try!

Works like a charm.      Thanks all!