Bachmann EZ switch problem

[power street service]

Hi all, I have a right hand switch that keeps causing cars to derail. I've tried different cars and every once in awhile, they will derail. Nothing seems wrong, but not sure what can be done to it. Yes, it is new and has done it right along. I bought it in an expander pack from Ebay; I wonder if Bachmann would replace it for me, anyone hav experience with this?

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I've had a couple of Bachmann turnouts do that. The wheels, for whatever reason, are picking the points. Try gently filing the points so they lay flush against the stock rail. Failing that, try bending the end of the point rail slightly toward the stock rail so it makes more firm contact. Most of all, make sure the gauge is correct.

 

[SpaceMouse]

Back when I had EZ Track, I averaged 45 minutes of work on each turnout. Start by filing the points like Jeffery suggests. If you are still having problems come back.

 

[hamltnblue]

Also check to see if it's the same cars derailing and make sure the trucks turn freely. Then run a car over the turnout with your hand to see if anything feels odd. Also watch the wheels as they go over each point.

 

[UP2CSX]

Yep, yep, and yep. The problems with these switches have been discussed before. The basic problem is that don't have a strong enough spring to hold the point tightly against the stock rail so the point tends to open as a car passes over it and derail. As the others have said, get a fine flat file and a toothpick. Place the toothpick between the point and the stock rail and file the the point until it is razor sharp. It can also help to mill a small slot with a Dremel tool for the point to hide in the stock rail. Check the clearance and depth of the plastic guard rail as well as they are sometimes too narrow or have debis lodged in them that also causes derailments. I've finally gotten my E-Z track switches to work reliably but I would never buy them again.

 

[power street service]

Thanks to all....I'll try all of the above. I would think for the price that they would work a little better. Also, I don't have them wired yet as my layout is far from done, could this be a problem too? I just manually switch them. I've tried different cars with the same results, but I do hear a distinct sound as they go over the switches which makes me cringe waiting for the next derailment.....thanks again, Josh.

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The sound you hear is the wheels hitting the slightly raised frog. As long as your wheels are in gauge and the weight of your cars is right (6 inch car should be 4 ounces, 9 inch car 5 and a half ounces, etc) there shouldn't be a problem with the frog. Also, these turnouts aren't designed for operation at warp 2. They don't like really fast trains. On the wiring, it's pretty simple. The green wire has 3 conductors. The center wire is the common, and the 2 outer wires throw the turnout left and right. All Bachmann track segments are DCC friendly though some do wear over time and cause some shorts. A coating of clear nail polish on these areas restores the piece to proper operation.Now how would I know this?I've only been using EZ-Track since the early 90's though this current layout is the first on which I've used all EZ-Track. And I use only the nickel silver type.