I am using 4 Lionel 0-42 switches, and just got a new Lioenl Legacy s-2 CNW sitcher. The problem is when the switcher goes over some of the switches the sound will cut out and at times the engine will stop for a second or two. I have used some electrical tape on some of the bad arcs coming from switches and it seems to work some but even with no arcs still will cut out. Any suggestions? The 0-42 switches are in the 0-27 format. I did a reset on engine, same problem. I ran engine over an oval and NO PROBLES.
Have you tried another switch and see what happens to it? If it still happens you might want to put a capicitor inside to hold the voltage for a few seconds as you go over the switch with that engine. Don’t know what size capicitor you will need, probally lionelsoni(Bob Nelson) can help you there.
I had some 031 switches from Lionel a few years back and had to add a piece of brass to the center rail of the switch to slightly extend the center rail electric pick-up. The switches were 6-23010 series, after a couple of years on the layout they dropped dead electrically on me, hope that don’t happen with your Lionel switches! The switches also wouldn’t handle my Williams engines, the piece that directs the wheelsets to the track that you want flipped back & forth about 35 times a second when a Williams engine got within three track sections of it, didn’t do this with any other engine-only Williams.
Basically you may want to get rid of that switch NOW!!! Sounds like you are starting to have the same problems with your switch that I had with some other Lionel switches.
Thanks, LEE. No I haven’t tried another switch. These are brand new out of the box,I wanted to have a switch yard on my strip mine layout and just can’t get these switches to take, with the Legacy engines. Just frustrating when the engine goes over switch and then stalls out for a second then starts back up or when the sounds just cut out[banghead].
Laz, have you thought about using GarGraves or Ross Custom switches instead? Personally I got fed up with Lionel switches a few years ago and went with GarGraves switches and track.
Laz, I get that too with engine that have the pickups on one truck, like the switchers. Have you installed a battery in the loco? Thats what the instructions say its intended use is, to stop sound drop outs over switches…
Laz I have the same problem only its with a MTH f3 it will not go across my Lionel O-42/0-27. When it hit the switch it stops and shuts down then start right back up in neutral. I tried the electrical tape and adding a piece to the center rail of the switch none worked. I was advised on here to do away with the 0-42 switch and go with GarGraves or Ross but when you have 12 switches and you have to tear up your track & limited money that’s not an options for just one MTH. I did pick up a couple of K-line 0-42 switches and the MTH would go through them. I only have one MTH engine so what I did was to put the MTH away and not buy any more and stick with Lionel and Williams They work just fine with the Lionel 0-42 switches.
I had the same problem with two 42" 027 new Lionel switches and MTH proto sound 2 units. I already had several K line 42’ switches that didn’t have the same problem so I got rid of the Lionel switches and have all K line now. The K line switches (no longer in production) take a little fiddling with from time to time but work well.
I’m in the process of trying to locate some K-line remote switches. I have my guy BARRY looking foe me and I will be at the ALLENTOWN PA Train Show next weekend so I hope to find some there?