I am in the process of collecting track for my first real layout. My first problem is what track to use… In order to answer that I need to know which turnouts(or switches) are non-derailing, or how hard would it be to rig up a switch throw. I would like to use the less expensive tubular track but I can’t seem to find a turnout that says it’s non-derailing for tubular track. Does such a thing exist? How can I tell if a turnout is or is not non-derailing. Thank you for your time.
O gauge or S gauge, Lionel or American Flyer?
O gauge Lionel
With Lionel tubular, and Fastrack, a turnout that was not non-derailing would be the exception.
With Lionel & K-Line and MTH; their switches should be non-derailing in O gauge.
Gargraves and Ross switches can be set-up to be non-derailing but are not that way from the factory. They have remote control from the factory and show you how to make them non-derailing.
Don’t know about Atlas’s new track & how their switches are or the older Marx brand switches.
Lee F.
All of the O-31 turnouts since WWII are non-derailing: 022, 711 and any of the new ones. However, there is a problem with the newer versions of the 022 and 711 (O-72) turnouts. There is a sliding switch inside the turnouts that was made from silver plated brass in the PW units. This sliding switch is made from the copper on a printed circuit board. It has a short life. There is a post about how to fix it. I am using a lot of 022 turnouts, and after fixing them, they are bullet proof. Check a post “022 & 711 switch electrical pblms”. I wrote a long post on all the things that need to be done to these switches to make them work reliably. For O-27 track, the 1122 switches are all non-derailing. However, they run off of track power and do not have a way to use a fixed voltage. Bob Nelson has posted his method for adding a fixed voltage to these switches. If you are planning on using these switches, I suggest you find his post. Bruce Baker
BTW, you can buy track and switches cheaper at a swap meet than at a train store. I am buying 022 switches complete for $7.50 and track for 50 cents to $1. I recommend you go through the 022 switches and make all the modifications I recommend because if you do, they should work for the next 50 years. Bruce Baker
X2 on Bruce’s suggestions on modifications. I replaced my balky Super-O switches in my layout with 022s, did (most of!) Bruce’s mods, and they work great. I took some reworking of the existing track, since Super-O is 36" diameter and 022s and 31", but it works well now.
Thanks for all the help. I’ll keep an eye out for swap meets.
ZIGG,
If you are planning to run switchers, small engines with pick ups spaced close together, go with the low profile K-line switches. I had bought 0-42 tublar switches and was running my new Legacy CNW switcher and it would stall on the Lionel switches. I replaced them with the K-line switches and had NO PROBLEMs with these switches. Aslo the lower profile allows some engines the clearance on turns. Hope this helps?
laz57
I have several different styles from over the years and I do not believe Marx turnouts were non-derailing.