Problem with Ross Switches....

I have the Ross yard set and have not had this happen, but the speeds are, by definition, pretty slow through the set's switches.

 

I have had some sparking on some GarGraves switches when Weaver cars go through, as their flanges a thicker than some others, but even this is not consistent.

 

All of my switches are of the gentle, 0-100 design, except one 0-72. 

 

Interesting. Not helpful, but interesting.

Although they aren't Ross, I have the same issue with several of my cabooses through two switches on my layout.  I painted liquid electrical tape on the side of the center rail where the backs of the wheels on the cabooses were coming in contact.  While this resolved the problem, it isn't a permanent fix.  I have to redo the liquid tape every couple of months.

You might want to give this a try to see if it corrects your problem.

Curt

 

 

 

I have used nail polish the same way. 

 

 

 

the liguid electrical tape/ nail polish idea does sound easy enough to try. i was looking through my selection of bits for my dremel to try and maybe grind the rail down some for clearence, but i can forsee the dremel skipping off what i want to grind and hitting something i dont. needless to say i'm pretty disappointed with ross switches at this point

I have 2 Ross switches so far and no problems with them. Ross has all metal rails unlike Gargraves plastic rails in certain places.

 

Gargraves switches gave me more problems because of track tolerances at the switches and power loss because of plastic pieces in the switch.

 

Lee Fritz

We have a ton of these switches on the layout and haven't had any problems. I was actually surprised to read about your problem . However stuff happens and I like the liquid nail or nail polish fix,  I don't think it would take much  at the point you described..  Here's a pic of the switch.

The problem is not with the Ross switches but rather your rolling stock.  Manufacturers do not adhere to any wheel set standards.  They will tend to gauge the wheels on the narrow side so people can run larger cars on tighter diameter curves.  I find that I have more issues with my Lionel rolling stock but have issues with others as well.  I would be curious to know the specific cars you are having problems with.

 

Dave

out of all the ross switches i've bought it's really only two right hand ones giving me trouble. and these two are new ones i ordered directly from ross, two left and two rights, and it's the two right hand ones. i've compared these two with some of the used right hand ones i've bought and it looks like the rail is just in a different spot. i dont know if these two were built on a monday morning or a friday afternoon. even when i look at the picture someone posted above in that picture the rail ends before the one tie that on these two the rail is sitting on. i think someone got the rail in the wrong spot when they were putting the switch together its not off by much but in a side by side to other ross switches i have its off enough to cause a short

git r done.  Did you contact Ross and e mail a picture of the incorrectly made switches??  I'm sure if you do they will make it right for you.

i'm so sorry pingman i'm sure had i called ross on thanksgiving day i'm sure someone would have answered the phone. my first time installing ross switches i thought this forum was a place to ask for help from others my bad i wont do it again.  

git r done,  

 

This is the place to post questions and ask for help. Unfortunately sometimes someone thinks the best response is ridicule. Please don't let that speak for the rest of us. 

Hey, don't worry about it.   Feel free to ask your questions, that is what a forum is for.  Some posters may lack people skills, but just ignore them.  Ross switches are very good and they will stand behind their product.  I had to send one switch back once, they replaced it immediately.

Yea dont sweat it.Any way it never fails a certain car or locomotive won't go through a certain switch or area without a problem or de railment.That seems to be an ongoing thing on my large layout.But thats all part of the hobby "solving problems"Nick