Another Newbie Question...

[Bob H-J]

Hi folks,

For Christmas, we dug out my old Lionel train set from when I was a kid. After 25-30 years it still runs!

I cleaned and lubricated the engine, cars and track, and now my son and I have been bitten by the bug to start setting up a small (4x8) layout out in the garage.

My (first) problem is... switch problems and losing all power.

We have set up an outside loop on the 4x8 table, and we put a switch on each end of the loop to run a track down one side of the table parallel to the outside track. When we use the switches to direct the train onto the "inside track", we lose all power. I can flip the switches back on one end or the other, and the power comes back. I'm sure this is probably a common problem, but it's frustrating.

I need a more powerful transformer anyway (currently using the old blue Lionel transformer that came with the set 20 -30 years ago)

IS this a question of wiring multiple sections with a different transformer, or are my options limited?

It's an 0 scale layout.

Thanks for any and all replies!

 

[LordVokk]

I'm also a newbie, but I'll ask the first couple of questions so that you can get the reply out of the way....

First, is your switches manual or automated? If automated how are they being 'thrown'?

Second, you said you are loosing all power...just so everyone's clear - Do you mean that once you flip the switches the engine won't run no matter where you put it on the track, or do you mean that the engine stops once it hits the redirected portion of the track?

-Lord Vokk

 

[Bob H-J]

Hi Thanks!

The switches are manual.

I'm connected to the track from the transformer on the outside loop.

I lose all power to the interior track when I switch the switches to divert the train onto that section. It's a conductivity (did I spell that right?) problem.

Surfing around, I'm getting the idea that I need more "feeders" or points of connection to the track from the transformer.

I'm pretty sure I need a more powerful transformer, but maybe with additional connection points, this problem will be solved also?

On a side note... I'm already wanting to double the size of the layout against the wife's objections!

 

[UP2CSX]

The older Lionel switches were power routing, which means the track that the points are thown for should get the power. Do you have power on that inside track if the switch is thrown for the mainline? Do you only lose power when the switch is thrown for the inside line but you still have power on the outside line? If so, something is wrong with the switch.

 

[Bob H-J]

Thanks guys. Lemme check and I will post back....

 

[Bob H-J]

Hi Jim, I lose power on the outside track when the switches are thrown to run on the inside, and vise-versa.

I guessing I need to run power to the inside track as well. Is this correct? If so... can I do this with the old basic Lionel transformer? (the transformer still might not be powerful enough, but that will be the next problem! ) Thanks so much!

 

[UP2CSX]

Bob, can you have a look at the underside of the switch and get a model number? Are all the track joiner pins in the switch metal or are some fiber? It may be that the switch was set up to route power this way so you could have a train on a siding and isolate it while a train passed on the mainline. If there are any fiber pins in the switch, replacing them with metal pins should restore the switch so power is always routed to both lines regardless of which way the switch is thrown.

 

[Bob H-J]

Thanks Jim,

They are old Lionel switches in O gauge. On the top it says model 1022 and on the bottom of the one I took up, it says model 1122. I have one right hand and one left hand. They are old. I recently bought them on ebay, and they are significantly older than the one switch I already had as a kid.

Would running another power line to the inside track work? I appreciate your help.

 

[UP2CSX]

OK, you've got that manual O-27 version of the Lionel power routing switch. This switch was meant to be used on sidings so you could run a train on to the siding, flip the points back the mainline, and have the train on the siding dead. If you want to use these for going from one track to another and have power to both routes at all times, you will have to provide power beyond the switch. The easiest way to do this is get another power loc-on and run the wires back to the variable side of your transformer.

 

[Bob H-J]

Thanks Jim! I know I probably need a more powerful transformer anyway, but is it possible to do this with my old Lionel transformer that came with the set? It's the old basic blue transformer, with just one set of connection points.

Thanks for taking the time with me...

 

[UP2CSX]

Yes, you can use the basic transformer. Just twist the two pairs of wires together and add them to the terminal. You won't be taxing the transformer by doing this since it will be putting out the same amount of amps to the track regardless if you use power routing or wire the track beyond the switch.

The only thing I'd be concerned about is how well the wiring in the transformer has held up. Lionel used cloth covered wire, which is well known for deteriorating with age. The rheostat and power supply are usually pretty solid but the wiring can fray and can cause faults or even shorts and fires. I would take the case off the transformer (with the plug out of the wall, of course) and inspect all the wiring. If any of the cloth insulation is really badly deteriorated, it should be replaced ASAP with 12 gauge plastic insulated wire. There's probably a considerable amount of dust inside which should be blown out using some form of compressed air.

If you expand your layout, you will want to upgrade your transformer. The older transformer can still be used to power things like lights and accessories as long as it's in electrically sound condition.