Skip to main content

I bought two Ross O-72/54 curved switches. When I try to run my Lionel Mogul and my ALCO PA through them the derail. All my track is Atlas and I thought I would buy Ross switches because of the great Atlas shortage. I would have used the Atlas curved switches but the gap is to large and the engines stall because of the center rail. Is there any way to make the Ross switches work or should I just send them back and use all Atlas track? Both left and right hand switches derails both type of engines.

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I have the same problem with my single Ross 054/072 curved switch.  None of my MTH engines would pass through it, diesel or steam.  By adjusting the mounting surface (it's mounted on an incline) and making sure the switch was tightly mated and operating smoothly, I was able to get most diesels through, but no luck yet with my Premier steamers.  I am reluctant to run any motive power through it faster than 30 mph.  Removing the switch and using a standard one will cause a major redesign to the layout.  I don't know what else to try, so any tips would be appreciated.   

The problem is likely that the turnout is twisted -- i.e., the three legs of the turnout are not in the same plane. You should not have a grade going through the turnout as rigid-frame locomotives will take issue with it and some of the wheels will lift out of the track. We had a problem like that with a Ross #8 curved turnout (O-96/O-120) and I had the fun task of realigning the whole area.         

Originally Posted by AGHRMatt:

The problem is likely that the turnout is twisted -- i.e., the three legs of the turnout are not in the same plane. You should not have a grade going through the turnout as rigid-frame locomotives will take issue with it and some of the wheels will lift out of the track. We had a problem like that with a Ross #8 curved turnout (O-96/O-120) and I had the fun task of realigning the whole area.         

also the tracks leading into and out of the turnout must be on the same plane as the turnout. if this is your problem then if you look closely and run slowly and you will see a wheel lift out of the track. I have seen this often when a grade change takes place near a turnout. the centipede tender on my FEF is a good model to test if you are on a flat plane as you enter and leave.

I have one Ross O72/O54 curved switch on my otherwise all Atlas track layout. Like has been mentioned before the Atlas curved switch has a long dead spot so I decided to use a Ross switch for this application. It is mated to Atlas track and mounted on Rossbed as can be seen in this picture.

 

IMG_2893

Unfortunately I've had to do a lot of work on the switch. Some engines derailed on the switch because the gauge was too tight. To fix it I had to remove a few spikes and carefully bend the outside rails to widen the gauge slightly. The moveable rails were too tight and had to be slightly bent to widen the gauge. After doing that I didn't have any more derailments, but had shorts when a few engines and cars would pass through the switch. The center rails leading to the frog had to be ground down at the ends to eliminate the shorts as the wheels passed through that area of the switch. You may be able to see the ground down rail ends in this picture.

 

IMG_2894

After the modifications were done I don't have any problems with derailments or shorts. Diesels and cars move through the switch smoothly, but scale articulated engines bounce through the frog. I've figured out how to change the track plan so I can replace the curved switch with an O54 switch so I plan to do that over the winter.

 

Ken

Attachments

Images (2)
  • IMG_2893
  • IMG_2894
Last edited by kanawha

Add Reply

Post

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

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×