Hello, I got a new Williams/Bachman GP9 which runs fine (fast though) and I have noticed that on a couple of the O22 switch crossovers that it pulls the first two freight cars off the rails at times. It seems to me that the coupler ‘swing’ is maybe to tight. While I realize we are talking O31 crossovers, this engine, so far is the only one that seems to do this. Anyone else seen this - it doesnt seem to look like one can do any kind of adjustments.
Thanks
Tim
Are these the Lionel O-27 track O-22 switches?
Andrew
As far as I know, there is no such thing as an O27 022 turnout.
I have one Williams that does that and the spring is to tight. The coupler arm needs to swing without tension. Two things you can consider. some lube on the coupler arm where it swings or cut one coil length off the spring. If you go with cut, have a spare handy in case you cut too much.
Yup - these are all Lionel O 22, however, I think it would happen with just 2 O31 curves thrown in an ESS w/o any straight in between
That was funny - 2 posts at the same moment - I will try the cutting - I like that idea!
Put a heavy car behind the engine. The heavy car will be less likely to derail. The coupler will loosen up over time.
Earl
The concept of an O-22 switch does not make any sense since O-27 is supposed to be the gauge and the style of the cheapest tubular track systems.
I would suggest a graphite lubricant for this area.
Its a Lionel thing - first, I am sure you are aware of the difference between O and O27 track - O track the rails are @3/8 tall, the ties are larger also. O27 is about 1/4 tall rails, and the ties are maybe half the height of regular O.
So then in the postwar years - maybe earlier, I am not a historian on this, minimum radius O gauge switches(31"r) were numbered O22 by Lionel.Later they were numbered 5132’s, and new ones go by 6-1406* (the * changes for LH or RH). Hence the deal where postwar Lionel minimum radius O gauge switches are referred to as O22 switches in books, ebay wherever,
I am not a total expert on it, but I believe O27 was brought out by Lionel to allow hobbyist’s to be able to put more track on a piece of 4x8 plywood than ever before. The minimum radius for O27 is 27", but there are other radii available in O27 scale. O27 scale has O27 radius switches, and O42 radius switches. That really can get confusing when you go to the store and say I need an O42 switch LH in O27. [xx(]
If the track part isnt confusing enough, O27 scale cars and engines are smaller then O gauge(height width length) but in all this, the width of the track is all the same, so both sizes of equipment intermix.
He has Lionel 022 switches with OC & OS track. These are all catalog numbers for O-31(14.14" center rail radius) O Gauge track.
WHOOPSY - Bad on me - thats my old HO stuff coming out - the numbers in O and O27 that I talked about are diameter, not radius. Sorry for that cornfusion.
TimTRH,
You must have forgot a number for the Lionel switches as 6-1406 isn’t listed in the 2010 Greenberg’s Pocket Priceguide I have. Also you forgot to mention about the Lionel # 6-23010 & -23011 switches (Williams Service department claimed these switches were not compatible with their engines)that were between the # 5132 and the # 6-1406.
Far as I know the number 022 refers to a Lionel post war O gauge switch with that number on it. Many people make the common mistake of calling any switch in O gauge an 022!![2c]
Lee F.
. Hi Lee F - I was being lazy - I put 06-1406* cuz 06-14062 was LH and 06-14063 is RH. That was a test - you passed-LOL.
Funny, you know that having O22 as a part number for 2 different switches would wreak havoc in the computer age and inventory these days, so I guess thats why they finally went to 2 numbers. The Answer - buy postwar - they are easier to say O22 instead of “Oh man I just bought a 06-14062” LOL
Tim