I have heard that the newer issue of the O22 switch tracks are not quite as reliable as their ancestors. What's your opinion ?
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Dan,
As with any modern made item, the newer the remake model, the more problems. Making something cheaper usually fails to give the same quality of the original. The 022/072 Lionel new switches both have quality operation problems, find some original 022 and 072, or 711 Lionel Conventional Tubular Switches, rework them and you will have decent Lionel Tubular Switches. If you want good new Lionel switches, invest in the Command Control FasTrack switches. You can transition in and out of them with your conventional tubular track, it does work perfectly with Track power, giving remote control switch capability from the TMCC/Cab1 or Legacy Cab2.
PCRR/Dave
Dan if you are talking about the O gauge switches made by Lionel after the 022's then you are correct! The 6-5132 series will burn out a wire inside them if used at over 12 volts even for a short period of time, I know I had to re-wire one with thicker wire.
The newer 6-23010 & 6-23011 series O gauge switch are total DUD's in my opinion. I have never had a more problematic switch then the 6-23010 series switches.
In closing I have gone to Ross Custom switches because I find they have superior quality switches for O gauge track. Only one minor draw back is that you must have the Ross or Gargraves adapter pins to mate up with Lionel brand track, there are 2 different adapter pins for tubular track; O gauge and 027.
Lee Fritz
My layout is in a constant state of metamorphosis because I want it that way. It's a carpet central on a 4x10 platform and I like to be able to change the track plan at will.
Most of the switches are 5132/5133 type, although I have a few original O22s. Internally they appear to be identical, except for wire type and size. The 51** series are Mt. Clemens made versions of O22s and are equally as bulletproof.
Before installation all my switches get a thorough servicing. Although they will operate reliably on 12 volts I run them at 14 and have had literally many hundreds (maybe thousands in some instances) of operations per switch without any failures.
I was able to buy, on average, four to six switches for the price of a single fastrack switch.
No personal experience on my part but I've read a lot of bad opinions regarding the 6-14062/63 modern production versions of the O22/5132/5133, , and from photos I've seen of the interior they seem to lack anywhere near the same degree of robustness as the originals.
If it's 5132/33 you seek buy with confidence but suggest you service them before installing.
Pete
phillyreading posted:The 6-5132 series will burn out a wire inside them if used at over 12 volts even for a short period of time, I know I had to re-wire one with thicker wire.
Suggest that if you burned out a wire on one of these switches it had a mechanical issue. I've been using them for many hundreds of operations at 14 volts no problems.
Pete
Texas Pete posted:phillyreading posted:The 6-5132 series will burn out a wire inside them if used at over 12 volts even for a short period of time, I know I had to re-wire one with thicker wire.
Suggest that if you burned out a wire on one of these switches it had a mechanical issue. I've been using them for many hundreds of operations at 14 volts no problems.
Pete
I have burned out the wire at regular operating voltage. It seems that some of the switches in that series had some issues(maybe the first production run) and others were fine(second or third production run).
Lee Fritz
Dan,
If you are thinking about purchasing Conventional Tubular type switches, purchase the K-Line Super Snap Switches if you can find them, they were great high quality, low voltage switches, that operated perfectly right off track power. One of my biggest mistakes was selling all of mine.
PCRR/Dave
I prefer the O22, but have had some of the 51 series. Properly serviced, they are essentially bulletproof. This sometimes include replacing the too thin wires with proper gauged wire.
I have both the MPC-era 51-series and the 1996 LLC-era O-31 switches. All have been in continuous use since 1997 with no problems.
Jon 
I have sold off all my newer Lionel switches(51XX and 6-23010) and have kept only the older 022 switches.
I am using Gargraves or Ross Custom switches now, shortly going to go all Ross Custom switches when I can afford it. Ross Custom switches work the best for me right now as I need an 042 size switch and nobody else makes a decent 042 switch that I know of. Also I am using MTH steam engines with my Ross switches.
Lee Fritz
