PW GG-1 2340 couplers open going overRoss switches

Easy, the sliding shoe turns and rides and shorts to the rail through the switch.

A well known problem with many sliding shoes.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ng-trucks-derailment

One idea, and unsure if this is 100% compatible, but change to a newer PWC style front and rear trucks with magnetic only coupler system.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...-Stripe-2340-6-38303

part#1

VS original

Best to keep your 2340 in original configuration, certainly from a value standpoint. The slider show is energized by the short third rail located near the swivel rail and frog, thus the coupler is opening.  Try to cut a very small piece of electrical tape to fit over the slider shoe. If done well, the power will be blocked. Although I have personally not done this, I understand that there are paints  available that you can put on the slider shoe or the short rail itself to serve the same purpose. In the latter case however, you may than have a problem with small locos stalling due to very short distance between roller shoes.

I ran the KLine A5 steam switcher with TMCC at our club and it does the same on a Ross switch firing the rear electro-coupler.
Been told to install a 50volt 1microfarat capacitor soldered between the 2 coupler wires.

Will that solve the coupler from opening prematurely?

@Ted Bertiger posted:

I ran the KLine A5 steam switcher with TMCC at our club and it does the same on a Ross switch firing the rear electro-coupler.
Been told to install a 50volt 1microfarat capacitor soldered between the 2 coupler wires.

Will that solve the coupler from opening prematurely?

Not in the case of a true shoe to rail short- which is more likely on this original PW GG1.

The capacitor is just load for phantom firing by a TRIAC controlled output. Totally different animal when the source of the power is a physical connection to a power source like a rail.

Vernon,

I understand that the GG1 coupler is different then a TMCC steam engine but the cap soldered between the 2 coupler wires should solve the issue?

I discussed this problem with some of the Ross people at York one year. They told me that Ross switches were not designed to deal with the Lionel accessory shoe. They suggested that I glue the accessory shoes to the under side of the coupler plate to avoid unwanted coupling and tearing the shoes off the truck.  I have never purchased any Ross switches, and that has avoided the problem. Since than I have seen suggestions about installing plastic ramps at various locations in the switches to correct the problem, but have not paid too much attention to them.

@Ted Bertiger posted:

I ran the KLine A5 steam switcher with TMCC at our club and it does the same on a Ross switch firing the rear electro-coupler.
Been told to install a 50volt 1microfarat capacitor soldered between the 2 coupler wires.

Will that solve the coupler from opening prematurely?

That should cure your issue Ted, …..in your case, the A5’s extremely short wheel base makes her prone to roller arcing, which is not a short, but the brief moment a roller disconnects from the center rail & then reconnects, ( like when traversing a switch ) the rollers arc, this arc is what’s firing your couplers,…….a cap across the coupler’s leads will absorb or “filter” that arc, and the coupler should not prematurely fire …..

Pat