Lionel Post War #042 Manual switch Question

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I’m building a Lionel “display” type railroad using Lionel manual Postwar #042 switches.( 031 path)
Will current production Williams and MTH Railking trains operate thru this type switch without a problem? I"ve read that these older switches can cause derailments.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Don

2

I think that you have the issue turned around, mainly from what I have read in CTT magazine the current MTH & others should have no problem with these older switches. The problem is when you use pre-war trains with newer switches as the grooves in the newer switches are too shallow for pre-war or post-war locomotives to go thru. Some of the wheels on the pre-war like the 226 were made with larger drive wheels with flanges that are an extra 1/16 of an inch larger than the 224E.

Lee F.