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Lionel's post war 022 switches are still the best quality switch that Lionel made for use with tubular track.

 

The newer switches such as the # 6-23010 & 23011 are electronically challenged switches, and won't work correctly ever again after using a Williams engine with them.

There was another switch by Lionel, not as recent that was better than the 6-23010 series and I think the number is 5304, not 100% sure on the number, but that switch too had an electrical problem with one of the internal wires overheating aand causing either a short or an open circuit.

 

Lee Fritz

RMT is coming out with a new Snap track switch in 031 and 072 sizes. Hopefully these switches will be better than the new(made within the last 18 years) Lionel switches.

 

K-Line also made some switches in both remote control and manual control for 042 size curves. I think K-Line made 031 switches but I am not sure, as I have not seen one recently for sale.

 

Lee Fritz

bag09,

   These gentlemen are correct, the Lionel 022 is the 031 Radius tubular switch,

the originals are very high grade switches and you can still get parts for them.

K-Line did make a very good low voltage 031 SuperSnap switch, RMT now makes a very similar SuperSnap Switch today.  Remember the old Lionel swithces are not a low voltage switch, and take massive energy to run, I replace all the bulbs with LED's in both the controller and the switch.  If you want a wider radius Tubular,

the original 711 and the early 072 Lionel switches are very high grade also,

the newer ones are not worth owning.

Lee getting your hands on the original K-Line SuperSnap switches is tough, great high quality switches that few people give up, once they own them, the RMT SuperSnap are reported to be very good also.

PCRR/Dave

 

wolverine,

   Because of the way he posted his question it was hard to tell just what he wanted,

so the men gave him several different ways to look at purchasing the switches.

In reality I do believe he wants the 022 Lionel tin plate switch.  However I did advise him of the old 711 or 072, just in case he was was looking for the true 31 radius. 

PCRR/Dave

   

Thanks for all you forum members that answered my questions.  Your replies were very helpful. Apparently I offended a certain member when I used radius instead of diameter and he or she found my post confusing and had to make it known to everyone. Next time just ask by sending me an email or just ask I would have corrected my post.
Originally Posted by wolverine:
Originally Posted by Pine Creek Railroad:

wolverine,

   Because of the way he posted his question it was hard to tell just what he wanted,

so the men gave him several different ways to look at purchasing the switches.

In reality I do believe he wants the 022 Lionel tin plate switch.  However I did advise him of the old 711 or 072, just in case he was was looking for the true 31 radius. 

PCRR/Dave

   

Dave, I was addressing the forum in general, and particularly any newbies, not you personally, in an attempt to put the issue in context.

 

Edit: This radius-diameter confusion has persisted throughout my 10 years on this forum with no end in sight. 

 

wolverine

 

Originally Posted by wolverine:
Originally Posted by David Johnston:

Half of 72 is 36, not 31.

Quite true, David. Good catch.

 

So the initial question in this thread boils down to did Lionel ever make a 31 inch radius (62 inch diameter) tubular switch? Edit: Or maybe a 36 inch radius (72 inch diameter) or what?

 

We are confined to tubular, are we not?

 

wolverine

 

Originally Posted by Ace:

Lionel managed to confuse the matter with O22 and O42 model numbers for switches with O31 curves !

Tell me about it, I just learned (by reading this thread) I wasted 35 bucks on a set of "042" switches, thinking they were 042 curves, and I haven't even them gotten in yet! I wonder what drug they were on that day when they decided to give it the most confusing name they could think of. Must have aimed it towards suckers like me.

Mike, the 0-22 post war and modern switches look the same on the outside, but if you take them apart, you will find that the post war switch is much better built.  If you use both the post war and modern 0-22 switches, you will find that the post wear switches work better.   For several years I have been replacing the modern switches with post war switches.  The modern switches are not cheap, not at least at the listed prices, so good post war switches are available at a competitive price if you keep your eyes open.

I got my hands on a pair of K-Line 042 manual throw switches at a train show in Deerfield Beach FL. Not sure if I can upgrade them to remote control or not, thinking of using DZ-1000 switch machines inside the switch housings. Also have a pair of 042 K-Line remote control switches, but they are very rusty and I don't think they will work.

 

Lee Fritz

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
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