Well, I tore off the plastic and cleaned up the track. I pulled out my 2 old time 2-6-0’s and let’em go. They were acting slugish so I cleaned the wheels. The front trucks were filthy. Right away, the SP 2-6-0, the one that had trouble with the yard throat turnout, cleared it without a problem. Twenty times it cleared it. Then it started failing again. Back to every other lap.
The Unmarked 2-6-0 had no problem with that turnout, but had problems with another one. The SP had no problems with that one. The Unmarked’s front truck takes off the wrong way on the frog when the turnout is switched to the turn.
There is one turnout that has the throw bar broken off the mechanism. I have a tortoise for that one.
There are 3 turnouts that don’t open/close all the way. I think I’ll put hand throws on those if I can’t get them loosened up.
Over-all I feel a lot better. Tomorrow, I’m going to plaster and set in stone.
In My opinion. Bachmann Turnouts are not the best avaialble due to how they are constructed. However their Track Geomotry is identical to Atlas Snap Switches. Perhaps replaceing the Bachmann ones with Atlas ones will improve relaiablity for you.
Have you guaged the wheel set on the Locos that are giving you trouble and compare them to the one’s that are fault free? Could something be out of guage?
I like the idea of the ground throw, one that has the Spring loaded feature I think might be best in your situation, but that’s just a guess on my part.
I’ve been using the Caboose Industries 202S on some of my tricky turnouts.
Are the locos picking the points or the frogs?
If its the points the leading trucks need to have some downward preasure, either by wieght or spring loaded.
If its the frog try narrowing the guide rail at the opposite the frog as if you pull the the truck away from the frog it should not pick it.
Just my [2c]