LGB point

S

Sarah Winfield

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I have read the previous posts regarding LGB points but I can't find where it answers my query, so I shall post it here.

My only point, which I obtained off ebay needs some encouragement. Firstly, it is not switching over in one direction except if I give it a bit of help.

Secondly, the point is quite old and needs 2 rail joiners which I hope to acquire off ebay. Now, I think I can see how the power is transferred from the stock rails to the switching rails, via a short piece of metal. (I am assuming the plastic frog is dead...croak, croak)

There are 2 largish square pieces of plastic (covers) at the toe-end. One between the switching rail and a larger one on the inner curved stock rail. I presume one of these contains the over-centre switching mechanism.

I have some experience of Peco points which have an over-centre tiny spring which are replaceable. Before I investigate further please would a member advise me what is beneath each of these "cover"?

Many thanks,

Sarah
 
The smaller plastic square between the rails is simply a decorative/protective cover; the larger square block unit at the side is the manual switch, it should have a lever on one side that throws the point; if it's not working very well in one direction then the spring inside may be at fault (possibly rusted if the point has seen a lot of years outdoors) - you can open the switch unit up by removing the single screw in its lid, and have a look at the condition of the moving parts - it may be that all it needs is a good clean-out and some WD40. If the mechanism is beyond recovery, then you can get a replacement manual switch quite cheaply and easily, it simply attaches by two screws into the ends of the sleepers.

All LGB points (in fact most G scale points in general) are dead-frog, and they are also non-self-isolating, something which often catches out people moving up from the smaller indoor gauges.... all rails in and out of the point are always live, if you want to make an isolated siding then you will need to use an isolating rail joiner and an on/off switch of some sort.

Jon.
 
Sarah there are other ways to isolate the 2 Roads that are made from your Point. One is to remove the usually Screwed Connection from the Long Straight and Curve to the two shorter pieces of Rail after the Frog. After these are removed the 2 Sidings will be Isolated so you would need to have a Switch to feed these sidings. 1 for each as the Non Powered Rail for each will be from a separate Feed. You could use the Screws removed to connect a Switch from the Longer Rails to the Shorter Rail this providing Switched Power to each Siding. If you look at my thread in creating Isolated Sections this will show how you could disguise those Switches rather than build a small Panel to hold them.

EDIT TO SHOW LINK TO MY THREAD MENTIONED

https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/lgb-track-isolating-section-a-simple-way-to-create-one.300471/

JonD
 
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