Which Switch is the Best Switch

Ross, a forum sponsor, makes some nice tinplate switches. 

 

Ross Tinplate

I once ran some newer tinplate stuff through RealTrax switches, 042 and 054, without trouble. Interestingly, I did have to use a file in some areas for one or two modern engines when the tinplate ran fine. All this said, I realize RT might not be a good choice if your goal is to stay with a tinplate style track to match the trains.

 

i agree with Marty on Ross. I now use all Ross modern track and switches and love it. If their tinplate is comparable in operation then I'd say it is a safe bet. Perhaps you could ask about purchasing a switch and some track with the ability to return it if it doesn't work well with your stuff.

 

 

LasVegasC3L,

 

  This all depends on what track, you are constructing your layout with, and what engines & rolling stock you plan to run.   Running with Lionel 022's switches limits the size of your engines & rolling stock severely, however kept in good shape and used with their own power supply, they are still good switches for tubular track.  The original 711 switches are hard to find in perfect working order, however in good shape with their own power supply they are still great switches, especially for Tin Plate Trains.

I transitioned in and out of them with my fair sized DCS FasTrack layout and they worked perfectly, I even installed LED lights in them to help with the massive power draw.  The problem with these old Lionel switches is they are not a low voltage operation, and must be solid wired, even with a DCS AIU.  Recently I added the Command Control FasTrack switches to my Christmas layout, eliminating all the wiring and the need for a separate power supply, for my switches.  The new 072 FasTrack CC switches are low voltage and wireless, and they accommodate all my different Tin Plate Engines & rolling stock including my big 810 Crane Cars, on a constant no problem running basis.  Marty E also gives good advise, Ross has great Tin Plate Switches, they operate in a stand alone manner, and they are low voltage.  Now here is the bad news, the Ross Tin Plate Switches are a name only situation.  They are great for modern post war trains, simply fantastic stuff, however Ross Tin Plate Switches are not guaranteed to accommodate all the old Lionel Tin Plate Engines & rolling stock.  Ross is upfront about this, and I commend them for it.

So if you are running modern post war trains their switches are Top shelf and can be transitioned in and out of with most any different RR track.  For me I am running FasTrack with 072 CC switches because this engineering package accommodates all my Tin PLate originals & my post war trains also.  As I indicated before it all depends on what you are running as to what switches are best for you.  I have tested about every different kind of switches available down thru the years.  My advise to you is before

purchasing, know your engineering layout package, and match the switches to it.

With the proper switches your layout will run like glass, with the wrong switches your layout will have big time problems.  I would rather see a layout with no switches than

the wrong switches, that is for sure.

PCRR/Dave

 

The FasTrack DCS living room Christmas layout with the new Y Command Control FasTrack switches, and constant running Tin Plate Train, 810 & 2660 Crane Cars included. A low voltage layout operation for sure.

 

 The FasTrack DCS Office/Game Room multi level layout, with original Lionel 711 & updated 072 Lionel Tin Plate switches.  Simply a great constant running layout, taking big time power to operate, with massive wiring.

 

Granted the 711 switches in good condition are hard to find. Be patient and you'll be rewarded with dependable service second to none.

Pappy,

  Got to agree with you, the old Lionel 711 Switches were probably the best 072 type

switches for running Tin Plate Trains that have ever been made.  Proven by their longevity quality running thru the years, they are top dog.  Only time will tell if the new FasTrack Command Control 072 switches can equal the incredible running time that the old 711's are famous for delivering.  Because the FT CC switches are low voltage does not necessarily mean they will stand the test of time, like the old solid metal massive voltage drawing 711's. 

PCRR/Dave

 

Finding a pair of perfect original Lionel 711 Switches is kind of tough these days.  Here are a pair of mine, with the solid metal controllers, they work perfectly and they are not for sale.

 

Dave,

The weight difference between a 711 and the newer 072 says alot. The 711 will never warp.

Sure, the newer 072 tinplate switches are nice to look at. They do not include the switch motors, etc. When it's all said a done, the cost is almost that of a good pair of 711's. At least it was last time I checked.

Based on SGMA's experience, Ross Standard Gauge switches are the smoothest operating switches ever made. 

 

For several years SGMA members have had derailment issues using MTH reproduction Standard Gauge switches.  Looking for a solution, several SGMA members participated in the developement and testing of the prototypes for Ross Standard Gauge switches.  Members ran every Standard Gauge locomotive and car in their collections across the protypes to determine if and where any problems might exist and then reported those problems back to Ross so that they could be corrected.  The end result is the smoothest operating Standard Gauge switch ever manufactured that is also a "drop-in" replacement the wide radius MTH reproduction Standard Gauge switches.

 

The Ross switches do have their issues for the tinplate purest, however.  First, the Ross switch is certainly not as attractive as the all metal classic tinplate switch reproductions made by MTH.  Second the switch motor Ross installed is an LGB switch motor normally found on LGB's G gauge switches.  It requires DC current to be activated.  As such it can not be run directly off track power as the MTH reproductions can.  Also, the switch comes with a rather ungainly toggle switch control to activate that is designed for subsurface mounting rather than the classic surface-mounted lever arm switch control that comes with MTH reproductions.  Fortunately, both issues are easily overcome using using a PIKO LGB G SCALE SWITCH CONTROL BOX, #35260. This attractive surface-mounted control box comes with four control buttons, which can operate from four to eight LGB switch motors, and provides a DC power source to operate those motors.    

 

Finally, their are two designs for the Ross Standard Gauge switches.  As noted above, the first is a drop in replacement for the MTH wide radius switch.  The second is a turnout designed to allow trains to crossover between parallel mainlines located on 7.25 inch centers, i.e., SGMA's mainline standard.  Lastly, the LGB switch motors can be mounted on either side of the switch.  This feature allows the Ross Standard Gauge switches to be used in track plans in which MTH switches will not fit.     

 

Ross Standard Gauge switches are a great product.

 

Bob

 

Bob,

   The original Lionel 711 motors can be used one either side also, I love the Ross company, wish they would design remote control Tin Plate switches that would accommodate all my Tin Plate trains.  I use the FasTrack low voltage CC Switches because they accommodate all my Tin Plate trains. For years I used the 711's and newer 072 switches, they did run great transitioned in and out of FasTrack.  However the new Lionel Command Control is great switch technology, I love it.  They can also be run with a manual controller that still comes as part of the switch package.  I love the remote control aspect of these new FT switches, especially the Y type switches.

This coming year I intend to use them transitioning in and out of the Atlas Industrial track, that is similar to FT, on a 2nd level of the Christmas layout, with no wires at all.

PCRR/Dave

 

One which works!

 

.....Greg

Thank You All for the suggestions!! I appreciate the advice!!  I enjoy running on tubular track. My minimum- is 42, mainly 54, couple of 72.  I do temporary floor layouts that only last a day or so.  I was thinking of doing a loop to loop and want to use o72s.. Non-derailing would be required and believe most of your options features it.  I run 263s with the big 800 series freight and have a  4 car Blue Comet passenger consist.

My Layout is K-Line Tubular Track • Shadow Rail with Pins • See Photo

 

I use Lionel #5166, 0-72 • I like these switches because if a train is coming and the switch is set for the wrong direction. The switch has a auto change direction to prevent derailments.  

 

Las Vegus,

   Sense you like conventional tubular track I suggest you try and find some of the old K-line Super Snap switches, they are fantastic stuff, if you can get your hands on them.  They work smooth as glass and are lower voltage type switches, so you can run them with track power, rather than needing a separate transformer just for your switches.  The problem with the 711's & the 50's series 072 Lionel switches is they take massive power to operate.   Long ago one of the members and I had a good conversation, here on the OGR forum about these SS switches and how well they functioned with our Tin Plate.  Don't know if you can reference the thread or not, it goes back quite a ways.

PCRR/Dave