O72 Switch Tracks

Dan Padova,

I believe you are talking about the original post war Lionel Conventional Tubular.  In reality there are three versions of the the Lionel conventional Tubular 072 Switches, the early 711- 072 Switches were the very best, built for Tin Plate Trains, Pre-War.  The post war 072's were very good, and the modern Lionel 072 versions are nothing but trouble.  Further the original K-Line Super Snap 072's were the very best low voltage 072 ever made, the RMT version of these K-Line Switches had some minor problems, that can be over come, and the newest version are just RMT's with different name on them.  

Hope this helps a might.   Purchase either the original Pre War 711, original post War 072 or the original K-Line Super Snap 072 Switches.   The FasTrack 072 FTCC switches are also great stuff, that works perfectly on over 90% of all engines and rolling stock.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks Dave.  I knew about the original pre-war O72 switches and the post war version.  I thought that Lionel had made two new versions after about 1990.  

Dan, They were #5165, 5166 made 1987-89 and 65165, 65166 made thru the 90's.  I'm also interested in which are better.  If I recall, one had to have the track shimmed because the switch was slightly higher. I'm not positive.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

... The post war 072's were very good...

Which years were these cataloged?

Thanks Rob.  I'd also like to learn more about these switches.

NOW you tell me the earlier 072 switches were better after I've just bought a 1993 era 5165 and 5166. Oh well, I'll see how they go.

Still hoping someone with more knowledge than I will chime in on which of the two modern era switches is the better product.

I had a pair of those LTI O72 switches.  Landfill bait!  I didn't resell them because I didn't want anyone else in the hobby to experience the disappointment that I had.  I would look hard at Ross, especially the new-ish "Rossplate" which is supposed to be the same footprint as a tubular track switch.  Ross has been around a long time and makes a good product.  IMO O gauge doesn't need any other track system!!

Rob,

   Can't tell you any more my old Lionel Catalogues were thrown out in the garbage, during the move to the new house.

Dan,

  Lionel did make 2 different modern 072 switches, IMO they are both junk.  If you are looking for modern 072 Tin Plate Switches look at the Ross 072 Switches, remember however they are not fully compatible with Tin Plate Trains.  Ross is very up front and honest about this. 

PCRR/Dave

Dan Padova posted:

Still hoping someone with more knowledge than I will chime in on which of the two modern era switches is the better product.

In a nutshell, from what I've heard and read, made in USA modern 072 switches are better than more modern versions made elsewhere. And pre-war 711 072 switches are more robust than later versions.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Dan Padova,

I believe you are talking about the original post war Lionel Conventional Tubular.  In reality there are three versions of the the Lionel conventional Tubular 072 Switches, the early 711- 072 Switches were the very best, built for Tin Plate Trains, Pre-War.  The post war 072's were very good, and the modern Lionel 072 versions are nothing but trouble.  Further the original K-Line Super Snap 072's were the very best low voltage 072 ever made, the RMT version of these K-Line Switches had some minor problems, that can be over come, and the newest version are just RMT's with different name on them.  

Hope this helps a might.   Purchase either the original Pre War 711, original post War 072 or the original K-Line Super Snap 072 Switches.   The FasTrack 072 FTCC switches are also great stuff, that works perfectly on over 90% of all engines and rolling stock.

PCRR/Dave

Dan

Lionel made prewar 711 automatic O72 tubular switches. Some consider these to be not only the most robust but the best operating and flawless. I agree. 

Lionel did not make O72 switches in the Post War period (1946 - 69), O42 & O31 but no O72. 

In the modern era those made in the 1980’s and 90’s are far better and with less issues than anything produced in the 2000’s. Check out my post and others  from a few years ago about the issues and what they are. 

Since you asked about Lionel switches I’m not going to comment on any other manufacturers. 

Hope this helps. 

Mike

Penn-Pacific posted:

Dan Padova posted:

Still hoping someone with more knowledge than I will chime in on which of the two modern era switches is the better product.

In a nutshell, from what I've heard and read, made in USA modern 072 switches are better than more modern versions made elsewhere...

Yes... the earlier 5165/5166 switches with the cast/brushed swivel rails and the bases with screw mounting bosses & screw holes are better than the later 5165/5166 and 65165/65166 with shiny or stamped swivel rails and bases w/o screw mounting bosses/screw holes.

None of these are near as nice as the 711 switches, which were only made during the prewar period.

After being discontinued in 1942, the O-72 switches were redesigned significantly and made their next appearance as the 5165/5166 45 years later.

But you can get lucky. I have several 5165/5166s and they work fine--even better than one of my Ross switches.

Lew Schneider

lewrail posted:

But you can get lucky...

Yes... the earlier 5165/5166 switches with the cast/brushed swivel rails and the bases with screw mounting bosses & screw holes are better than the later 5165/5166 models.

Rob,

   These are what I refer to as Post War 072 Lionel Switches, I have many and they all work very well, easy switch had screw in bulbs, later switches had Bayonet bulbs.  I also have the 1122, O Gauge and the 027's with dual plastic Controllers.  The Pre War 711-072 Switches were boxed and sold in set pairs, came with full Cast Controllers, the Post War also Boxed and sold in Pairs, with single plastic controllers.  There is a great deal of difference in the quality of the Switches.  The modern 072's as I indicated before are a cheap imitation of the post war 072's, most times packaged singly and have more problems than they are worth.

PCRR/Dave

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

   ...These are what I refer to as Post War 072 Lionel Switches, I have many and they all work very well, easy switch had screw in bulbs, later switches had Bayonet bulbs...

 

 What are "These are what I refer to as Post War 072 Lionel Switches" - can you be more specific? I can find no reference to postwar production until LTI.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

...I also have the 1122, O Gauge and the 027's with dual plastic Controllers.

 Are you talking "O" or O-27 here? The original poster is trying to discern among the modern era switches which versions to look for. 1122 & O27 have not been brought up at all.

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

The modern 072's as I indicated before are a cheap imitation of the post war 072's, most times packaged singly and have more problems than they are worth.

 Still trying to figure out what you are referring to as "post war 072's".

If you read up a fee posts he says that the early ones from 87 that had cast swivels are what he's referring to . He knows they didn't make them in ow years.