Problems With Ross Curved Swithes

you need to get down close and see what is causing the derailment. sometimes an engine has a narrow roller and it falls into the gap near the frog and the engine seems to jump and derail. 

I have the same problem with my single Ross 054/072 curved switch.  None of my MTH engines would pass through it, diesel or steam.  By adjusting the mounting surface (it's mounted on an incline) and making sure the switch was tightly mated and operating smoothly, I was able to get most diesels through, but no luck yet with my Premier steamers.  I am reluctant to run any motive power through it faster than 30 mph.  Removing the switch and using a standard one will cause a major redesign to the layout.  I don't know what else to try, so any tips would be appreciated.   

I would suggest to get your eyeball down at rail head height and visually discern the derail problem.  If the switch is not bad all the time I would look for specific loco oriented problem.

 

What ever the problem is, it is curable.

The problem is likely that the turnout is twisted -- i.e., the three legs of the turnout are not in the same plane. You should not have a grade going through the turnout as rigid-frame locomotives will take issue with it and some of the wheels will lift out of the track. We had a problem like that with a Ross #8 curved turnout (O-96/O-120) and I had the fun task of realigning the whole area.         

have you tried calling RCS? I am sure they have heard it all and would most likely be able to shorten your areas of search, much like the members have done.

 

 

What Matt said and also make sure the tracks leading up to the switch are on the same plane as the switch. Use a straight edge ruler or level and make sure tracks are not lower than switch.

also the tracks leading into and out of the turnout must be on the same plane as the turnout. if this is your problem then if you look closely and run slowly and you will see a wheel lift out of the track. I have seen this often when a grade change takes place near a turnout. the centipede tender on my FEF is a good model to test if you are on a flat plane as you enter and leave.

We have Ross curved switches on our NJ Hirailers layout and run everything from SW1 switchers to Big Boys through them without a problem. There should be no issues if the switch is properly installed.

The switches are on the same plane as the atlas track. I do not have any problems with the regular Ross O-72 switch, just the curved ones. The engines always derail entering the frog.

A photo or two of your installation would be helpful.

I have one Ross O72/O54 curved switch on my otherwise all Atlas track layout. Like has been mentioned before the Atlas curved switch has a long dead spot so I decided to use a Ross switch for this application. It is mated to Atlas track and mounted on Rossbed as can be seen in this picture.

 

Unfortunately I've had to do a lot of work on the switch. Some engines derailed on the switch because the gauge was too tight. To fix it I had to remove a few spikes and carefully bend the outside rails to widen the gauge slightly. The moveable rails were too tight and had to be slightly bent to widen the gauge. After doing that I didn't have any more derailments, but had shorts when a few engines and cars would pass through the switch. The center rails leading to the frog had to be ground down at the ends to eliminate the shorts as the wheels passed through that area of the switch. You may be able to see the ground down rail ends in this picture.

 

After the modifications were done I don't have any problems with derailments or shorts. Diesels and cars move through the switch smoothly, but scale articulated engines bounce through the frog. I've figured out how to change the track plan so I can replace the curved switch with an O54 switch so I plan to do that over the winter.

 

Ken

we have had  no problems with the 097/072 but yours is definitely much tighter. If you have a spare set of trucks push it through the switch by hand . maybe you'll find something. Out of gauge or loose guard rail .. 054 is getting a little tight for some engines.

I have had issues also with both the 54/72 and 72/96.  I originally laid down flex track to follow arcs drawn with circle tool to continue a perfect arc off of the switch.  What I found was that the tighter radius of the switch had to be bigger (straighter) just off the switch.

Mike

I thought Ross switches never gave any trouble (smile).  I have had to do significant rework to my Lionel 022 switches.  Looking at pictures of Ross switches seems to show potential problems with pick-up rollers and sliding shoes.  

Need more info.... Where is the derailment happening? picking the points ? At the frog?  as pointed out the track just before the points can be a factor? Is it straight. curved  same as the switch.?