How does one use Ross switches with Lionel Post War operating cars? Every time I try it the cars operate dumping their load on the switch?
Thanks in advance.
Paul Edgar
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Are these the sliding pickup cars? Those don't like a lot of modern track.
Short of removing the shoes, I haven't seen anything work completely to stop slide-shoe cars from activating across Ross turnouts. Electrical tape and silicone eventually peel off; rubber bands wear through. One other option [works in theory, but haven't tested] would be to wire one of the shoes as an isolated ground connection for the car's operation, then isolate the operating rails of the operating track from the rest of the layout, then use one operating rail as hot and the other as ground. That would operate the car only on the activation track.
One of Jim Barrett's back shop videos coverd this tipic. I purchased it but after seeing the alterations needed on the cars I decided not to do this.
I am considering using Williams by Bachman remote control opportating cars instead of my post war opperating cars. The Bachman cars have no slider shoe, thay use center rail roller pickus. They have a good looking log car and dump car. I do not recall, but I think the K Line milk car was remote contro also.
Hope this helps,
Richard
Matt,
Thank you for your opinion. Not being that electrically bright, can you be more specific on your suggestion?
Paul Edgar
Paul, liquid electrical tape from Ace Hardware applied to the portion of switch track that is activating slide shoe contact will solve the unintended activation. With sleuthing and short sections of temporary electrial tape, you can identify the track portion that needs the liquid tape.
