I’m thinking why the frogs couldn’t be deeper so the flanges don’t contact the bottom? Rail cars seem to have shallower flanges vs engine flanges, thus not an issue other than engines. Yes diesels are better thru switches vs the rigid wheel on steamers. Steamers 2 wheel front trucks are finicky thru switches without weights added. I have better luck with 4 wheel pilot trucks weighted. Don’t seem to matter what brand, or type switch each has issues. I find 034 Marx plastic switches with a flange guide added works well with my diesels. Still not so much with steamers or engines with more than 4 wheel trucks. All my engines do not have rubber tires. Rubber has different issues.😊 I’m running 027 track, i just like the shorter profile.😊
@rodrossi974927 күн бұрын
Interesting, Eric Siegel's worked just fine. I guess that's why they are looking for customer feedback.
@3-Rail-Tales-Dad28 күн бұрын
Hope your wife gets better. Not sure exactly what your situation is but I’ve seen a whole cabin lifted with car jacks-maybe one at each corner. Good luck!
I have the same stitches and I guess I got lucky I h ad no problems with my switches
@richardnelson-ux1zzАй бұрын
You will encounter problems with any new products from any manufacturers even lionel mth Bachmann and atlas has problems with any new products they have produced in recent years
@raylrodrАй бұрын
Its a shame that so many products need adjustments or rebuilding now-a-days just to make them work correctly after spending so much money.
@raylrodrАй бұрын
Head rod.
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
@@raylrodr head rod?
@raylrodrАй бұрын
That is the term for the rod or bar that connects the points together keeping them in gauge. The actuating rod connects the head rod to the switch motor or switch stand.
@andrewbanas7575Ай бұрын
Are switch machines reversible
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
@@andrewbanas7575 yes the next video shows the machine switched to the other side
@billfusionenterpriseАй бұрын
Have you seen how classic Lionel switches are wired? They require insulated rail joiners, plus U-wire needs to be right
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
These have the insulated joiners installed from the factory, but something is up with the polarity and should have been better tested before they were released for sale……
@DJBREITАй бұрын
They could have put some more effort into the design of this switch. If you buy one of these it will be for the long hall and not just a once-a-year setup. That idea about K-Line switch mechanisms being on the side of the track would be a better setup. it removes the space problem and the need to flip the mechanism. 😊👍
@genemanno1533Ай бұрын
Basically same as Lionel and Marx plastic switches. The frog design with it’s inheritance problems with some engines. A added modification to guide the wheel flange side thru the turn out helps a lot on most switches. Originally there is a short plastic section that is to small and short to do the job. Menards switches are too $$$$ so I continue to source used Lionel and Marx 034’s for my 027 track. I find 027 track more realistic height sized compared to Lionel/Menards “O”.
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
@@genemanno1533 I really like the Marx and American flyer switches over any other , I just wish they had made a variety with broader curves such as 072…….
@jonjacob1962Ай бұрын
I may be a complete idiot and this may be extremely obvious to someone familiar with the hobby. But... I recently got my first train. It's nothing special by this hobbies standards. Just a Lionel, O gauge Hogwarts Express. I'm a bit of a Harry Potter fan... Anyways. I got a case of the 24, 10 inch straights, and 24, 0-36 curved pieces. The curved pieces all have the pins on one end like the straights... But because of this, you can't flip them to make curves in the other direction unless you pull the pins out and reverse them... Is this normal..? I spent a good 45 minutes scratching my head. Flipping the track in every direction before finally committing to pulling the pins out. I did all that only to discover that when assembling the track and using the reversed curves, it was VERY hard to get them together and the pins don't like to stay in place since they're sorta crimped into the other end the way they are... The fast track is just REALLY loud and obnoxious. In my opinion. It's almost unusable to be completely honest. Especially on my hardwood floors. It just echoes through the floor. At any rate. I'm wondering if it's normal for the whole pin thing to be this annoying... Or are there curved track pieces specifically made to turn in the other direction that I need to get..? Or is there a way to just flip the track that I'm somehow totally missing..? If I DO have to pull the pins myself and reverse the ends. Is there a better way to do it so that putting the pieces together is easier..? Right now i'm using a flat head to pry the track apart, then a set of needle noses to pull it out... It'a a pain in the butt and sorta messes the track up... Is there an easier way..?
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
@@jonjacob1962 not really, your doing it right. Menards track is a little different from old Lionel in that the Lionel pins slide in either way without the surgery. Menards is purposely made in a one way fashion. Idk why. The pins pop into a crimp that Lionel doesn’t have. I’ve used reg Lionel pins on Menards and it’s a little easier but not much, but it seems to hold together pretty well…..
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
Also wearing work gloves help to avoid cuts
@jonjacob196226 күн бұрын
@@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132 okay. Thanks a lot for the info. I appreciate it.
@genemanno1533Ай бұрын
This is like the third review on these switches and none of them including this one indicated they are not so good. The engine you show rides over switches like on gravel. I purchased used 60 year old switches that perform flawlessly for 10% of the cost Menards china made one’s sell for. I’m happy with Marx and Lionel 50 and 60 year old switches. Thank you for honest review it is similar to the other’s on line.😊
@genemanno1533Ай бұрын
Pilot Ren just did a video on these same switches. What a box of junk. All messed up bent, and required fixing to use. His video shows the train going over switch like a bunch of rocks. Yours rolls crappy too. You don’t seem to have any acceptable operation neither. Typical china junk at a high price. Sixty year old Lionel works fine so no excuse for Menards. At $120 for pair of switches these are pure trash. Yes return for refund. Thank you both for honest reviews😊
@TwistedMacGyversTrainsАй бұрын
Way to go James! Thank you👍
@3-Rail-Tales-DadАй бұрын
Excellent series of reviews. Thanks for doing these. Also, good job flipping the switch without instructions. As far as the direction, however, it makes sense that it would be backwards when you flip the mechanism. It pushes and pulls according to the push button or anti-derail function. Pushing from the inside would make the switch flip to the diverging position. However, pushing from the outside would push the switch to the straight direction. To flip these, I think you would have to flip some wires so that the push/pull was in reverse.
@MrJojowasamanАй бұрын
The engine does not sound like a u36B.
@sparkystrains5045Ай бұрын
Look inside your switch controllers to see the hidden LEDs for the controllers marker lights.
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
@@sparkystrains5045 are you saying they are loosely packed in the housing ? I had it apart and did not see any extras of anything on there. There are 2 LEDS under the lantern on the switch machine that are always burning …..
@jodysmith8048Ай бұрын
We all know Menards want feedback. So they can make the final product as good as it can be. I just hope by the time they get to the final product that the price doesn't increase.Like it did with there F7 locomotives by the time Menards had gotten to the final product.
@TrainBanditАй бұрын
Ya same here, especially since this isn't the highest quality switch. A lot like the locomotive, but you get what you pay for and when it's up in that price range it's just not worth it
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
To me though wiring it wrong is just silly….and zero instructions for swapping sides with the switch machine, oversight I guess…..
@rogerglasgo4902Ай бұрын
I was hoping menards had made some ok switches for the price. looks like they have a lot to work on. thanks for the indept review on these yours is the best yet. looks like if you are doing tubular then rossplate switches are the way to go. they are the best quality and currently being made right now. thanks again james.😊
@rodrossi974927 күн бұрын
A 20 dollar jump really isn't that big of a increase concidering the improvements they made.
@N_scaleАй бұрын
This big switch machine is what put brakes on me getting them cause I need them for a crossover also. You’re doing a good job helping me figure out how I could use these instead of the k line I have but I don’t think I will have the room for them. 4 mains in 24”
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132Ай бұрын
@@N_scale I got it flipped around and will post a video on it, but it is a big honking machine
@N_scaleАй бұрын
@@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132 I wonder how it could be made smaller
@TwistedMacGyversTrainsАй бұрын
Excellent work, at least we know that the motor can be flipped to the other side. 👍
@davidcroushore362 ай бұрын
Just opened mine and after watching your video this morning. I opened the controller and found 4 LEDs inside and what looks like 2 missing screws, wondered if yours was the same? I was also able to adjust the lamp to closer to red for diverging and green to thru.
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains71322 ай бұрын
@@davidcroushore36 I don’t recall seeing any missing screws but I will look again when I get time . I wonder what the missing screws go to??
@TrainBandit2 ай бұрын
Im more concerned about how they cut the rails for the points. I think they need smaller points and larger rails with less of a gap.
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains71322 ай бұрын
@@TrainBandit I agree, I never liked that design on the Lionel tubular turnouts , and really it could be eliminated because my Ross switches just feather the points to a smooth end …..
@TrainBandit2 ай бұрын
@@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132 exactly, I think the gaps on the Menards switches are way worse than Lionel. I also don't think it would cost much more to feather it in like you said either.
@TwistedMacGyversTrains2 ай бұрын
Great job on the review. That’s good to know about the red and green indication being backwards. I will hold off until that is corrected. Thank you James!
@N_scale2 ай бұрын
File that sharp catching point with a file or a carbide burr Do the lenses pull out of the lantern so you can switch them? Or reshape that mountain pin to be round
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains71322 ай бұрын
Doesn’t look like the lenses can come out but I haven’t really tried that yet. The mounting pin is fixed in the machine so idk if reshaping is practical…..
@TrainBandit2 ай бұрын
It appears they didn't quite comprehend how to points work 🤔
@TwistedMacGyversTrains2 ай бұрын
Nice review James! I was wondering about these switches. 👍
@railbaron92 ай бұрын
Nice track plan.
@steamrailwilly2 ай бұрын
Pardon me for asking, but how is it controlled? Is it Transformer Controlled, or does it have TMCC?
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains71322 ай бұрын
Conventional transformer
@steamrailwilly2 ай бұрын
@@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132 Thank you.
@gusshadleythelunaticfromar71253 ай бұрын
I was thinking it was a new lion chief from MTH tooling. But its interesting.
@mal151024 ай бұрын
Powering the Menards track is really handy. Use a sharp screw driner to open a gap in the underside of the rails. Slip a lug of most any kind in the resulting slot and remove the screwdriver. The lug will be in super tight. Bend the lugs 90 degrees and crimp in the wire. Great connection for next to nothing.
@northeastprod5 ай бұрын
Sound Review?
@gregoryrunningelk8655 ай бұрын
This is why I use tube tracks from Lionel, old school is still the best, but I do like the roadbed look.
@dennis24946 ай бұрын
I had the same problem with my old 736 engine and tender where the whistle would not work when the train was running , I replaced the roller on the truck that makes contact with the center rail and now it works fine , probably wasn’t making real good contact when it was running
@tableseven81336 ай бұрын
Unless you have to don't sand or scrap your new track. They coat it with some kind of metal and any sanding will break that coating and make a possible rust issue. Used track is best cleaned with a scotch bright type pad, or the rougher red pad like that scotch brit type pad. Steel wool would be great on the used track however it lets particles around an could short out your track, or worse yet get into the gears especially a mag-na- traction engine.
@tableseven81336 ай бұрын
Yes, you are right the corner track are a bit to close. Mount the outside set down screwed in by hand and not to tight but enough to hold it in place, the check the inside track with another train on the corners and watch the area right were it goes from straight to the curves, and that is the most over hang spot. The steamers with the longer front and the wider diesels will be the ones to watch out for and the the over hang of an long rail cars. You might have to compromise and only run certain things on your set up or only on the outside. On my new set up it is close but several big diesels can not run side by side, long passenger cars will be a issue as well but about every thing else works, 031, 034 with a short straight on the curve and 042 on the outside with a short straight as well on a 48 inch wide table.
@user-ld1id7ms9t6 ай бұрын
Thanks for the tip.
@SouRwy4501Productions6 ай бұрын
I personally just hook up the eztrack to some classic track instead of cutting it.
@TrainBandit6 ай бұрын
I was so tempted to get one of these. I dont know if the biden one would be worth the money though 😂
@TrainBandit6 ай бұрын
Looks great!
@sussyamounus22077 ай бұрын
That’s nice, those are some good kid ya know. Most of em full send the engines and blare the horn the whole time. At least they had a good time 😂😅😅😂!
@Wiencourager7 ай бұрын
AF switches have either o31 curve or o40. Yours looks like o31. They made both.
@floppaeditz1237 ай бұрын
Looks amazing and I love your trackplan
@TwistedMacGyversTrains7 ай бұрын
Very nice bridge, I really like it. I like the idea closing off the curve and adding the tunnel portals. I’ve been thinking about doing that to my layout as well. Thinking about closing off the entire back and add a second level with a two track main.
@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars7 ай бұрын
Love that switch track
@TwistedMacGyversTrains8 ай бұрын
Fantastic video James. I was thinking of picking up a few of these but I went the opposite direction. I decided to go with the MTH RealTrax solid rials. I really like them. They are flawless, I’m very happy with them. Frank
@kingjulian94968 ай бұрын
Do you ever attend any of the trai shows in Dallas fort worth
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains71328 ай бұрын
Probably been about 5 years since I’ve been to one
@kingjulian94968 ай бұрын
@@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132 it's been about 3yrs for me. Always enjoyed the fort worth train show more than Plano. My go to hobby shop, discount model trains in Addison.
@jamesmorgangunsandtrains71328 ай бұрын
@@kingjulian9496 yeah been seeing Wayne and company there for about 25 years , but the stock there has sure dwindled…… you should try model train crossing in hurst . Avery is the owner , much selection
@kingjulian94968 ай бұрын
@@jamesmorgangunsandtrains7132 I will definitely look it up. As live in royse city.
@kingjulian94968 ай бұрын
Does model train crossing carry any replacement parts ? Such as atlas trucks and etc.