Switches to work with older Steam Engines

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

These 3 Steam Engines,
Lionel 1688 Prewar 1936,
Lionel 2026 Postwar 1951,
Lionel 2037 Postwar 1953.

All three made with gears on the inside of one side of the drive gears, can not operate on Lionel 6-23010 031L switches, or K-Line K0708-22 switches. These gears interfere with the switch mechanism, does anyone know what manufacture switch would provide the proper clearance.

Sad Face…[:(][:(][:(]

2

This is a problem with Marx locomotives; but they have a gear whose diameter is equal to that of the flange. Marx switches are made to accommodate them. The gears on the 2026 and 2037 (I don’t have a 1688 to check) are smaller than the wheel tread; so, if they are having a problem with switches, it must be something different. What happens going over the switches?

3

Good Morning…“Lionelsoni” put me on to a good approach.
Measure the Gears and wheels, well after 3 years in my display case, it’s time to take them down and do some testing. The last time they ran was in 2002, and that was strictly on ovals, no switches at that time, all ran well.

  1. “1688”, Wheel Dia. 1.120, Gear O.D. 1.245, this engines gear contacts any switch it crosses.
  2. “2026”, Wheel Dia. 1.242, Gear O.D. 1.016, This engine performs well going over switches.
  3. “2037”, Wheel Dia. 1.250, Gear O.D. 1.063, This engine is fine over switches.
    Should of done this earlier, my layout has change since 2002 and now includes switches and grades.
    Measurements done with a dial caliper and are within a few thousandths.
    What do you think of adding a ring to each wheel to bring the Diameter up 1.250. ???
4

You’ll have a little less flange; but it might work.

You might be interested to measure all the wheels on the 2026. The middle ones should be a little larger than the others. The story is that Lionel thought that that would make the magnetraction work better, then couldn’t get magnets because of the Korean war. On level track, you should be able to rock the locomotive slightly back and forth.

If your locomotives derail any of the 2-wheel pilot trucks on your new trackwork, check this out:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=49810&REPLY_ID=549097#549097

5

You have a wheel flange problem and the best switch to use is the Lionel 022 left or right hand switch from the post-war period. This should solve the wheel flange problem. Also STAW AWAY from Lionel’s # 6-230011 series switches as this is a problematic switch for all Wiliams locomotives and some Lionel locomotives.
Lee Fritz