Hi Trevor,

Visit my web pages below in signature and select the tips section
Ctrl-F and search for 7459

You should get some ideas to solve your point problem.

I have no experience with K tracks. When I built my C track layout I noticed some of the turnouts didn't shift as fast, well or smooth as desired so I used some teflon spray (or lubricating spray with teflon, also called ptfe spray) on various moving parts and it did help. Be sure to let it dry down and wipe off any excess. Don't know if it will work on K turnouts.

Thanks. Have tried similar with silicon. Will see what else is on the market here.

Hi Trevor,

It looks like you are using a standard curve point 2262 2263.

The points are not serviceable.

The point motor must be flat with the track bed not raised or lowered.

Have you tried a different point motor?

The size of the point motor tongue can vary, if you have several motors measure them until you find a different size then try that.

Make sure ther are no flash marks on the tongue as these can catch and stop the point working.

If you have a manual hand lever remove the tongue from the mounting and use it to test the point movement. Your fingers will feel if there is any catching or stiffness.

If the point blades catch and the movement in the point mechanism switches then the surfaces around and under the point blades need to be cleaned.

If the point mechanism catches ensure there isn't any rust on the metal surfaces.

As a last resort use a dry lubricant such as teflon powder don't use wet lubricants!

Hope the above suggestions help track the problem down.

Hello Trevor,

For far too many years I was struggling with my K-track layout turnouts (and I have a lot of them). They would work for a while but then become unreliable once again. I was at my wits ends because unreliable operations makes you stay away from running trains. I took out all these switches and replaced them all with Tortoises. The best investment I ever made. Now, I never have to worry about a turnout not switching when it's told to switch.

Just a side comment, but spoken from personal experience.

Cheers,
Andry

Hello Trevor,

I've attached a few pictures of how I mounted the Tortoise switch machines. The pictures are from the unfinished part of my layout so that you can see how the points are connected. There's also a picture of a crossover switch.

As you can see, some Tortoises are mounted on top of the layout (hidden part), and on the visible part of the layout they are mounted underneath. How you mount them is really your decision. There are multiple examples on the web. Also, the electrical connections are quite simple -- many diagrams on the web as well. Each Tortoise has a stall motor (i.e., it always draws a tiny amount of current) to keep the points firmly closed. Tortoise motors can be driven with any DC source (8-24 volts). The lower the voltage, the slower they move (nice and prototypical). To move the points (straight or curve), the polarity of the Tortoise is reversed. This can be achieved in a variety of ways -- a toggle switch being the simplest way. I use relays (you can see them mounted on the Tortoises), because my layout is automated and controlled digitally (DCC) by software.

I hope this helps. Let me know if anything is still unclear.

Cheers,

Hello Alan,

When I grew tired of the problems with Marklin solenoids, I experimented with both servos and Tortoises. Servos are fairly inexpensive, but "you get what you pay for". The cheaper ones do have a problem with RF interference. I tried ferroid coils and other tricks, but they were not 100% reliable. You had to make sure that the travel was right because if not, they tend to burn out. Also, they are not "stall motors", hence the possiblity of points not fully closed when the servo stops moving and "relaxes". You are correct -- the Tortoises are more expensive (about the same price as the Marklin solenoids) and are quite bigger in size. However, on my layout, there's plenty of room underneath or on top (see previous pictures).

I guess what I'm saying is that it's "to each his own". Whatever works for your layout and whatever you're happy with. We all have to make compromises in building out railroad empire!

Cheers,

Hello Ross,

Good info. However, as the speaker mentions, they never had a Tortoise motor fail. Tortoise motors is all I use -- I don't use the other options of the Tortoise, i.e., "point feedback" nor "frog power" (no need with Marklin 3-rail).

So I think I'm safe!

No, I have not checked. It would not be an easy task to check the contacts since I'd have to remove the Tortoise from its mounting position. Because this is only a hobby, I prescribe to the motto "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". They've been going strong for 10 years (or so) -- probably will outlive me -- and I've yet to have one fail or misalign a turnout.

In any case, it's always good to know what can go wrong in case one needs to fix something.

Thanks.