Stalling at PW Lionel 022 Switches

Postwar Lionel switches have a grounding contact embedded in the base of the switch right near the frog. I suggest making certain that it is clean. you could be loosing power on the "ground" side too, especially if you happen to run tire-traction engines.  

I'll check the switches, but I'd be surprised if that was the cause of the problem.  This issue seemed to pop up with all them at once.  Plus I just replaced a switch with a freshly restored one from Trainz.com.  I noticed the problem popped up when I ran the trains this weekend before putting the new switch in.  Problem existed, changed out the switch and the problem continued.

The auto switching seems fine, but the stall happens when the train goes through from any direction.

The only other change which could possibly be a cause is the transformer being left plugged in for about a week.  My kids ran the trains a couple weeks ago without me, and while they powered down the track, they left the transformer plugged in.  I only caught it a week or so later when I walked by the layout and heard a buzzing.  Have no idea if that constant current to the transformer could have done something to the power supply.

I really doubt the transformer has any problem, they're designed for continuous duty.  I'd also point out that Trainz idea of a "restored" switch may be different than what we're suggesting.

Virtually all of the 022 switches I've reconditioned required some work on the track connections, so there's no reason for me to believe that you somehow were excluded from that club.

Have you tested the 022 switch for continuous electrical flow on all rails of the switch? Somehow you are losing power. Do you have traction tires with your engine? The center rail should have a continuous flow of electric power for both straight and curve sides, the outside straight rail should have a continuous flow as well. If the rail has a cut in it there should be an insulated pin for the auto non-derail feature, this should pick-up outside rail power up to half way through the switch. Check the center terminal screw for the remote control wires, it should have the same polarity as the outside rails.

Another one that is overlooked on diesel engines, with a three axle truck like an SD-45 or FM Trainmaster, or GG-1, is there a set of plastic wheels somewhere that is hampering electrical flow from the outside rails?

I had a Williams engine do that because of having a plastic set of wheels and traction tires. I replaced the plastic wheels with metal wheels when I up-graded one of my F-7's to a powered unit, took the old wheels off and ground the flange off of them and replaced the plastic wheels and now the SD-45 hardly stalls if at all.

Lee Fritz

Are you running newer engines with traction tires? If so that could be the culprit.

No switch is going to help you with that problem.

Sometimes a short engine like a Plymouth switcher, NW-2 or a 44 ton engine will not go through switches without problems like that.

Possible solution would be to run a set of wires from another engine or a tender and see if you can eliminate the problem that way. Use a set of alligator clips with wires and jump test it, don't cut into the wiring, just add a set of jumper wires for now. If that solves the issue you might be forced to add a set of wires permanently to the engine.

Lee Fritz 

Thanks for the comments Lee.  Hopefully some will lead to the solution.

I just had the problem you describe with a 022 switch. Both of my 2025 engines would stall and go into neutral after crossing the switch. The problem turned out to be the fat center rail in the switch was bent down slightly causing loss of contact with the engine rollers. The short end of the center rail was the problem. Bent it back level with the rest of the rail and no more problems. Maybe that would help you?

Rob

Rob,

I have an 022 switch with the same thing you describe, but never thought that it would effect my trains like that. The center rail roller if it is the culprit is not making contact like it should because most have a small spring to maintain pressure to the rail.

I have repaired a few 022 switches before but never gave that much attention.

Had a newer Lionel switch similar to the 022, a #51XX(not the 6-23011), and a wire burnt in half inside the switch and the switch shorted out on me.

Lee Fritz

I have a similar problem when running a Lionel 0-8-0 over a manual fastrack switch.

a fellow member suggested I run a separate wire to the tender, but have done tried that

yet. And all my engines have traction tires, cep't one old 2035.