Unitrack turnouts issue.

[chicken45]

Hey guys!
I’m having an issue with my Kato crossover. 

The pivot point for one of the switch points Seems loose. 
How does one remedy this?
Here’s a pic with me pointing to the loose connection. 
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[Mark W]

Does it affect operation?  I mean that semi-seriously.  I have an atlas turnout in my yard ladder that is attached ONLY by the throwbar.  The heel of the point rail is free floating, but it stays in place.  I haven't gotten around to fixing it, and trains of all kinds roll through it fine.

But on the Kato, I'd say it's been about a decade, but I broke or damaged that little clip once.  I remember fixing it, but I don't exactly remember how.  It was either a dab of solder, or by completely disassembling it and re-shaping the clip. 

The brass part is supposed to spring outward and capture the web of the rail.  If you pinch it inward and push down, it will release the rail.  You might be able to bend it outward in place. 

[Chris333]

If it is electrical put in a jumper wire. If mechanical try a dab of silicone.

[chicken45]

Does it affect operation?  I mean that semi-seriously.  I have an atlas turnout in my yard ladder that is attached ONLY by the throwbar.  The heel of the point rail is free floating, but it stays in place.  I haven't gotten around to fixing it, and trains of all kinds roll through it fine.

But on the Kato, I'd say it's been about a decade, but I broke or damaged that little clip once.  I remember fixing it, but I don't exactly remember how.  It was either a dab of solder, or by completely disassembling it and re-shaping the clip. 

The brass part is supposed to spring outward and capture the web of the rail.  If you pinch it inward and push down, it will release the rail.  You might be able to bend it outward in place.

Yes, it will be used.  Smaller engines stall on it because it can’t span the dead rail.  Like, NW2 small. 

[chicken45]

Well, I managed to break off the clip so looks like I'm buying a new one.

[seusscaboose]

ouch

skip MBK

they are running 10 days behind on shipping (as of yesterday)

conversely speaking... Mainline Hobbies ships next day

just sayin'

[DKS]

Well, I managed to break off the clip so looks like I'm buying a new one.

Problem solved.

[Dave V]

Problem solved.

Joking aside, is it common to switch tracks on T-Track while running?  I mean I've only ever seen them used as uni-directional racetracks (and I'm not throwing stones because 95% of the time that's all I did with the Juniata Division) because to do otherwise would invite cornfield meets.  Or am I wrong on that?

Still, I totally understand the internal need to have everything working correctly even if it doesn't need to.

[RBrodzinsky]

Usually, I have been able to GENTLY push those clips back down, with a screwdriver, onto the rails. 

[chicken45]

ouch

skip MBK

they are running 10 days behind on shipping (as of yesterday)

conversely speaking... Mainline Hobbies ships next day

just sayin'

I'm going even more local...Ester's has one for me. I could drive there today, even, but I will wait until Saturday to get pickup mother's day french pastry from the baker next door.

Problem solved.

LOL That's what I said to Ed this morning. Now I just get to buy a new one. Nice and straightforward.

Joking aside, is it common to switch tracks on T-Track while running?  I mean I've only ever seen them used as uni-directional racetracks (and I'm not throwing stones because 95% of the time that's all I did with the Juniata Division) because to do otherwise would invite cornfield meets.  Or am I wrong on that?

Still, I totally understand the internal need to have everything working correctly even if it doesn't need to.

Yeah, that's exactly it. I have that OCD that compels me to just have it all work even though most folks won't even be on that track.  But at home, that's a different story. I may do a loop and roundy round it all together.

[davefoxx]

ouch

skip MBK

they are running 10 days behind on shipping (as of yesterday)

conversely speaking... Mainline Hobbies ships next day

just sayin'

I can confirm the MBK shipping delay.  Exactly the experience I had on an order placed two weeks ago.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

A good reason to make sure it works: the regular crotchety old guy brigade will at some point descend and complains about the thing for some reason or another "there are too many tracks", "why aren't you using the front two", "are you sure you didn't break it by weathering it?", etc...

It'll be MUCH better if everything works perfectly when Josh tells them to ***** off.

[arbomambo]

Did you test it before painting and gluing?
Did you set the bottom screw to non-power routing, and the frog to ‘powered’?

[bman]

A good reason to make sure it works: the regular crotchety old guy brigade will at some point descend and complains about the thing for some reason or another "there are too many tracks", "why aren't you using the front two", "are you sure you didn't break it by weathering it?", etc...

It'll be MUCH better if everything works perfectly when Josh tells them to ***** off.

Nope. This crotchety old dude would want to use said crossovers. That's why they are there.

[Dave V]

Nope. This crotchety old dude would want to use said crossovers. That's why they are there.

"Well, ya know the Pennsy woulda used much longer turnouts so they could make the corssover at track speed.  And where are all the linakges for the interlockings?  Tsk tsk.  Now, the layout I operate on would have that all correct."  Meanwhile, the dude has a recently purchased unboxed Bachmann warbonnet in his hand with Rapido couplers and the price tag is stuck to the body.  It'll be going home to a shelf full of similar purchases that overlook the space where someday there'll be a layout...but someday never comes.

Gotta love those guys.