I'm installing turnout motors (74490) into C-track turnouts 24671, 24672 and 24612. With the 24671 (left curved turnout) there was no problem whatsoever.

With the 24672 (right curved turnout) the mechanism gets blocked if I install exactly according to instruction. The instruction picture points out three tabs (white) on the turnout motor, and they should go into corresponding holes in the turnout. But if I mount the turnout motor slightly (fractions of a mm) skewed so that the tabs do not go into the holes, it works perfectly. I then put a piece of cardboard between the turnout motor and the turnout to stop the turnout motor from going back into the "right" (i.e. wrong) position.

On the other hand: With the 24612 it was necessary to get the tabs down into the holes. If you mounted the motor a bit skewed like I did with the 24672 the mechanism was blocked.

I have tried two different 24672's and two different turnout motors and all 4 possible combinations behaved the same.

Is this a known problem with the 24672's? Although I found a working solution it is quite annoying when things do not work the way they are supposed to do.

Can you post pics? I only have 12 mechanized turnouts, about 5 are in curved turnout, and no problems so far...

That problem is very strange.The way you put the turnout mechanism is
the same at any turnout you use.If the way you put the 74490 is wrong
you cannot screw the mechanism on the turnout.

Ignore the tabs arrowed in your picture and just use the tabs that the screws go into and screw into the turnout raised sockets.
Sorry Perz but I really cant see what is wrong here but the tabs you arrow I have not even looked at when fitting a motor. The other tabs on the motor that the screws go into fit on top of the raised holes and this automatically lines up the motor with the turnout.

David

All has been said, I can´t se nothing wrong. The white carboard, is for..?

Hi Per,

I go back on my previous answer!![:I], as I am just now installing a 74490 assembly on a 24672 recently purchased. I had no problem with two 24672's bought last year (my reference for answering), but I found on this newer one, that the mechanism almost blocked when installed normally. As a test I installed that same 74490 assy on two other turnouts (unfortunately I have no more curved ones), and they both worked as intended. So it seems that the problem lies with some 24672's themselves as you implied.
My working solution is not the carbon method (does the bottom of the drive assy not extend down under the bottom of the turnout?), but if referring to your bottom picture, I applied some pressure to the drive in the direction of your red arrow, so the upper screwhole just misaligned with the screwpost by appr. 1/4 hole or less - still with the assy fully down, then I bent the lip with the screwhole back to alignment before inserting the screw. Now the thing works.
I suppose the skewed position of the assy could be fixed more permanently if a suitable clamp was inserted between the assy and the standout of the turnout outerwall just above the letter "d" of your word "cardboard" (bottom picture).
So I agree - this is quite annoying to have to "re-adjust". [:(!]

I still dont know what the holes arrowed in the turnout are for and what they have to do with the motor. Can anyone explain.
I have always just used the tabs and screwed them to the turnout.

David

I have sixty turnouts with motors and remote controls none of them give me any problem. I use the two screws to attach them and they work just fine.

I have 69 turnouts included 7 of curved with motors fit in it with no problem at all.

Maybe a bad batch of the 24672's were just exported to Scandinavia, because we are wellknown to be able to find a solution!!!.
No, seriously - It is good to hear that this problem is so scaresly seen. I understand your sceptisism in your replies as to Per and I must be doing it wrong, because it is so straight forward, but I can only say that I assembled my ten kits 74444 very gently and with great care and I had no problems before the 24672 in question, which, btw, was the sixth one done, and no problem with the last four ones. So more suggestions of wrong doing I tend to ignore.
My suggestion as to what the small white tabs are used for, is that they may have a use during factory assembling of the 74490 - otherwise none. They need to drop into the holes when inserted correctly (screwholes aligned with their stand-offs), which they do in 99,99999% as it seems!

I am having a similar problem with a 24712 Right Turn out. Thought it might of been a motor or the decoder so tried another one in it. Same thing. Works one way but not the other. Tried the same motor and decoder in another turnout and no problem. Looks like a little more detective work to do.

Bob

This is my observation regarding the cramping/blocking problem. Unfortunately I cannot supply close-up pics, so pls. accept my drawing instead.
I reinstalled another "motor" on the 24672 to recreate the cramped movement. When I removed the grey plastic cover of the shifting mechanism itself - I found that the movement bacame very easy going, then when reinstalling the plastic, the cramped movement was back! I cannot determine what parts is slightly out of tolerance.
Bad news about a 24712 with this problem too.[:(]

Hi all,

It would be nice to know what the Date Code is on these Turnouts. The Code is a small circle with a arrow pointing to the month and the Year is on either side of the arrow( Sorry I have no Picture ).
Further more on the mechanism cover is the Part # 24672 or 672 only.

I have the notion that the made in Hungary Turnouts have a problem with
the injection molding specifcaly with the Pin which holds the shifting lever ( the black lever with the spring under the cover ).

Please return these Turnouts to your Dealers for replacement under Warranty.

Martin

Finally got around to installing mine in two curved switches from my Grandson's starter set. The lantern kits, motors, and Viessmann decoders all went in flawlessly.

Hi Per,
Date code 01-11 - are you sure? The imprinted circular read-out is supposed to point to a month within a fixed year. Your reading tells me january 2011 - somewhat premature (or 1911! If the latter, it must be leftovers from alians!!)

I tend to agree with you about returning faulty stuff, but as we or dealers have no pattern yet to identify bad series, you may still get another faulty one for replacement (I can see a Catch22 here - if we don't return, we don't get a pattern!!). [:(]

Hello Perz,

As far as I know there was no Problem with any C-Track Turnouts made in 2001,
you must have received a faulty one ( it can happen ). In my opinion your Problem is a bent or distorted shifting lever ( thats the black unit under the cover with the return spring ).
As with all thinks made once in a while a bad unit slips thrue the inspection (if inspected at all).

Martin

I have tested with another 24672 which is made February 2004. It had the same problem. I have tested two turnout motors and the two 24672's in all 4 combinations and the problem was there in all cases. But after bending the mounting tab on the turnout motor, the problem has gone away.