Question on old 711 O72 switches

These are the type I have

I believe they are prewar, and do not believe that prewar Lionel T.O.'s had the non-derailing feature. I may be wrong, but this is what my mind and archives tell me.

This posting will answer some of your questions!

Basically there are different variations of the switch and the non-derailing feature was added over the years.

https://ogrforum.com/t...ations-and-questions

At one time, I did possess both varieties of 711 turnouts. I suspect El Classico is right in that the pre-war production did not have the non-derail feature.

You can get around this by using an insulated rail just before the turnout to accomplish the same objective by wiring the insulated rail to the appropriate terminal on the motor housing.

Thanks guys.  If anyone can explain how to wire the insulated rail that would be a help.  Also, I would like to know what exactly the wires in the toggle switch controllers do.  

Try looking in greenbergs under the 022 entry. Same motor, same controller.

Those are early prewar. They run on track power. They are early versions because they have metal tinplate rails in the frog. The later version has a Bakelite black (plastic) frog. The early 711 switches in your photo do not have a non derailing feature. Not only would the short rails have to have insulating pins, but they would have to be insulated from the black metal frame. Also the switch motors do not have the appropriate internal design to accommodate the non derail feature. If you have to use these switches, you could use insulated track sections on the approach to the switch to create a non derail feature. The insulated rails on the separate track sections can be easily wired to the left and right terminals on the switch motor. By the way, when properly serviced those early switch motors work like a fine clock.