More Lionel 0-27 Switch Woes - Suggestions Needed

Try a different brand's switch.

I'm guessing you're using either a 5022 or 1022 manual switch.  If so you might try a different switch, as Jumijo suggested, such as the 1024.

http://www.postwarlionel.com/c...in/postwar?ITEM=1024

If you're interested I have some I'd let go cheap.

I had so many issues with O-27 switches, not to mention the limits they place on what you can run, I ditched my O-27 layout and I'm building a standard O layout.

Just ripped that switch out. This is going to be a "test" of another switch before I change the rest of them - these 0-27 switches have been more trouble than they are worth (just wish I didn't spend a week re-ballasting the track a month ago...). 

Trying to decide if I will put a Ross 0-31 switch or Fastrak 0-36 in. Are there Fastrak to Tubular transition pins? I know there are Ross/Tubular pins. Any better reason why I should use one over the other? 

There are Fastrack to O transition pieces, they're about 5" long, Lionel 6-12040. Here's a picture of one.

I've purchased 6 O27 switches in the last month and some of them work well from all directions and some cause my K-Line diesel to jump the track. Of course I have no history to go by; I don't know what kind of life these guys have had in the past but I do know that moving them around to different locations often helps me get the best use from them.

So try a different switch.  My 2 cents worth.

The old Lionel switch was a 100% manual switch. I'd like to keep it that way. Are Ross switches ready to go and I can just drop it in the layout and start running trains or will I have to do wiring? Want to keep this as simple as possible.