O36 Lionel Manual Switch Not Automatically Switching Straight.

Does it feel like it's binding when you throw it using the lever, or moving the points by hand?

Not that I can detect, but trying it again in a different scenario, when making a turn on the switch, when the switch was straight, (picture going into a right hand switch from south to north) the locomotive seems to throw the switch, but right after the locomotive, either the tender or the other rolling stock catches it when it switches back and gets a derailment; I can see the flag move both times, but I think the initial move doesn't throw it fully, just enough not to derail due to the locomotive weight, but the lighter cars seems to hop up, and the switch goes back to straight when it should be turned. It's getting late on my end, but I'll take pictures tomorrow...is there anything underneath the fast track switch that can be adjusted? I initially thought they were all broken, because the plastic tab piece wasn't locked into the metal piece that pulls the rail, but with pushing the tab over the metal hole, it locked in, probably due to shipping I guess.

Ugh, I think you're right GT, thank you.  I just read a review on Amazon stating that too : https://www.amazon.com/review/...store=toys-and-games

I guess I can't complain, the remote switch goes for about 90+, I got 4 RH's for $27 a piece on Amazon two days ago on a big price drop, now it's back to $40, but still, would've been nice to have that without the need of a remote switch Thanks everyone.

You know, I have had the same experience with tubular manual turnouts. Despite all Ive read about the loco throwing the points, my only experience has been derailments. First off I thought, "maybe its me or mine", as I mostly ran electric turnouts with auto anti-derail my whole life, so I didn't ever speak up about my doubts. Im sorry you found out the hard way too. In the future, I'll spout my opinion with more confidence on this though. Also, for you, in the future, try my solution; buy electrics and move those manual ones to a yard or siding....within reach

Grampstrains posted:

Manual switches do not throw automatically only the remote switches do that.

Unless they've changed them, the manual Fastrack switches do have a non-derailing feature.  The ones I had did.  

mlavender480 posted:

Grampstrains posted:

Manual switches do not throw automatically only the remote switches do that.

Unless they've changed them, the manual Fastrack switches do have a non-derailing feature.  The ones I had did.  

According to the manual they do have a non derailing feature.  Maybe they are binding and need some attention.  The engine should be able to thrown the switch.

The pilot truck wheels are gauged to narrow - too close together. I would guess that you are also coming off a curve into the points.

You need calipers to actually check the distance between the flanges on the inside. Then compare to the driver wheel spacing and the trailing truck spacing.

They are not easy to spread.

Do you have a hobby shop nearby that deals in Lionel? They could do it for you.

The other item to check is for a cracked axle bearing in the pilot truck. Grab an axle with your fingers on the trailing truck and feel it. Now do the same on the pilot truck axles. Some seem to been broken by an assembler in a hurry or a drop can do it. They break where you can't see it, where it slides into the truck.

Both of these will cause the wheels to be out of alignment or move side to side too much and pick points or derail.

It's an infrequent problem, but both happen.

You could purchase another pilot truck. Lionel has a 50% off sale on Sat Nov.5 only. Their flat rate shipping is $10. Here's the LionChief parts page or the Conventional parts page

Hi PLCPROF, actually, you're correct, here's an excerpt from the lionel pdf for the switch I have (I have the right hand, but it's the same for the left hand too), on Page 2:

"

"

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/71-2017-250.pdf

I'm going to loosen the screws as you suggested when I get home tonight and see if that makes a difference.

Hi Carl, thanks, that's a good idea to check on too, I don't have calipers, but I don't have the Lionel Silver Bells RTR locomotive I can test it with, and recently purchased LionChief Plus Lackawanna locomotive.

Also, thank you MartyE and mlavender480, I do see to recall that  that I read somewhere that they did feature non derailing auto switching, and the manual confirms so (but it also covers themselves by stating that if it doesn't work, manually switch it. Ugh.)

Keep in mind that on the manual switches, the "non-derailing" feature is not electronic.

It is accomplished by a balanced pivot point with springs inside the switch.   When the wheels start to force the points, the springs are supposed to take over and move the switch.   You won't hear the traditional *snap* of a switch motor moving the points.

The suggestions above on loosening up any binding are spot on.

I had the same problem. Single axle pilot trucks would often derail. No problems with 2 axle pilot trucks or diesels. The first step is take the switch part and deburr anything that might have some plastic mold flashing on it then lube with a small amount of graphite. That might do it. You can also cut off a couple of coils from the pivot spring.

My issue was finally resolved 100% by replacing the pilot truck springs on my postwar locomotives. Since you have a newer locomotive it's definitely not worn out yet. 

I have 5 manual switches, and they all move freely, but then none of them have the switch stand anymore as they are long gone.  If I want to move the points, I just flick them with my finger.  You could try pulling the stands off and see if the switch points move more freely.  Just firmly grab hold of the red panel and pull up.

Just a thought, if you ran through a switch that way on a real railroad, you would probably get 30 days off at least, and maybe fired!

prrjim posted:

Just a thought, if you ran through a switch that way on a real railroad, you would probably get 30 days off at least, and maybe fired!

Nope, these are "flop" switches!

Grampstrains posted:

Manual switches do not throw automatically only the remote switches do that.

Here are the non-derailing manual switches in action:

and here is how we set this up: