I’ve been out of modelling for many years, and recently started building a layout with my son. I have some old Atlas Snap Switches (remote), and one of them switches in one direction only (I have not hooked up the remote circuit yet, but throwing the switch manually works in one direction only). If I move the points manually, they will move freely, but there’s no “pressure” to keep the points in place.
Is there a spring mechanism or something else I should be looking at? Otherwise, the switch is perfectly fine.
I know the main advice will be to just replace it, but I’m a New Englander - There must be a way to use this saved switch!
You have to split the top from the bottom half. Look at the bottom, there are tabs that hold the switch together. There is a knob on the throw arm that slides in a diagonal slot that throws the arm from side to side. this has most likely came out of the slot, so it only works in one direction.the little wire windings are very delicate take care and snap it back together.
Good luck.
Lee
PS.That is assuming the code 80 are the same as code 100.
Thanks for your reply. As it turns out, I just hadn’t done enough investigation on my own. In your first step (turn it over), I discovered that the springy arm that actually actuates the points was not in the groove, so it was pusing the points one way, but when switched the other way, the arm just moved away, and didn’t pull the points. Taking the mechanism off the switch and replacing it with the arm positioned correctly has fixed everything.
Welcome to the forums and back to model railroading.
First thing I would do is to hitch up the electrical parts. It may be that when it snaps, it will hold the switch in place. I have HO switches and use the remote switch machines manually and they work OK, but an N may not work as well, though I would think it should. Maybe older ones are a little different. Also, there could be something caught in the mechanism, which could be removed without too much problem. Atlas switches to not have a spring to hold them tight when in place, they need a switch machine or ground throw to keep them tight.