Thank you. This is extremely helpful. I acquired four of these switches (042) without controllers or instructions. I do have some Lionel 027 switch controllers. From your video it looks like they will work. I tried the 042 switches on the layout I am building but they are not getting enough current to prevent derailing. The Williams locomotives I am using to test the layout would fly out the window at 14 volts. Because of your video I know how to connect a separate power source to the switches.
I`m using Marx turnouts with the same Lionel two light switch, I got it working just fine, but both switch lights remain on, there by not identifying the position of the turnout. Would you please advise me how to correct this? Thank you much.
Hmmm. This is a K-Line controller, which looks similar to a Lionel controller, but it is wired differently. The lights on the controller require special contacts inside the switch mechanism itself, similar to Lionel O22 O Gauge turnouts. Marx turnouts lack these contacts so, unfortunately, you will not see the indicator lights change without significant rewiring and reconfiguring of the Marx turnouts.
These Lionel, K-Line and Marx turnouts tend to be very large because they are considered "toys". Therefore, all moving parts need to be as inaccessible as possible so as to prevent small children from injuring themselves. It's part of the American tradition of excessive litigation.
Yeahh you could be right just look at how easy it is disasemble a marklin m rail switch at lets just say i we were playing with those from 6yo here and just remember that the e unit on a marklin required more than 24 volt for direction change....Thank god litigation is not a European thing
Yes. It's very easy using a SPDT electrical switch (Atlas makes easy to use power control switches if you are uncomfortable will electronic parts). On the track where you want to park a train, insert insulating pins in the center rail at either end of the track you wish to control. If you are using a SPDT, attach the center contact to your track power (transformer). Attach on of the two remaining contacts to the center rail of the track you wish to control. Leave the other contact open. When you throw the SPDT switch to the power side, the control track receives power and the train will run. To stop the train, throw the SPDT the opposite way, removing power from the center rail. (Or use one of these: shop.atlasrr.com/p-2310-hd-connector.aspx)
Thanks for watching! Yes, I like the K-Line's and use several O27 and O42 on my layout. By the time Lionel took over the line they were committed to FastTrack, so Lionel just let these die. It's a shame.
@@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125 I found out by accident! I was trying to wire up an automatic reverse loop with a K-Line on one end and a Lionel on the other and I couldn't get it to work because of the difference in wiring.
Thanks mike I have not seen very many of the O42 if you run across a pair at a really good price let me know. Thats also great info on the Marx singleand double reduction motors I never gave it much thought but that explains a lot of the problems with switches. Thats why I started usingthe Prewar American Flyer switches. Great info. in all a nother Great vide. Thanks . GMan
If you are using single-reduction "fat wheeled" motors, another option is the Lionel #1121 (1937-1951). These have no guardrails for the gears to catch, but still work ok with other Marx and most Lionel Postwar and MPC engines.
![How To Phase AC Train Transformers - Lionel, Marx, K-Line, MTH, etc [Two Methods]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/znIg27LU2HU/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for your help. Hope you and your family have a great new year
Thank you too
Thank you. This is extremely helpful. I acquired four of these switches (042) without controllers or instructions. I do have some Lionel 027 switch controllers. From your video it looks like they will work. I tried the 042 switches on the layout I am building but they are not getting enough current to prevent derailing. The Williams locomotives I am using to test the layout would fly out the window at 14 volts. Because of your video I know how to connect a separate power source to the switches.
Thanks for sharing this 🙌
And thanks for watching!
I just found out that the (lighted controllers) the Lionel 5122 type switches have no lights in the controller. Is that true? ????
I have seen Lionel O27 controllers with colored lenses, but not with lights.
I`m using Marx turnouts with the same Lionel two light switch, I got it working just fine, but both switch lights remain on, there by not identifying the position of the turnout. Would you please advise me how to correct this? Thank you much.
Hmmm. This is a K-Line controller, which looks similar to a Lionel controller, but it is wired differently. The lights on the controller require special contacts inside the switch mechanism itself, similar to Lionel O22 O Gauge turnouts. Marx turnouts lack these contacts so, unfortunately, you will not see the indicator lights change without significant rewiring and reconfiguring of the Marx turnouts.
One thing I notice as märklin driver is how crude and therefore large those American o gauge switches are compared to märklin of the same year
These Lionel, K-Line and Marx turnouts tend to be very large because they are considered "toys". Therefore, all moving parts need to be as inaccessible as possible so as to prevent small children from injuring themselves. It's part of the American tradition of excessive litigation.
Yeahh you could be right just look at how easy it is disasemble a marklin m rail switch at lets just say i we were playing with those from 6yo here and just remember that the e unit on a marklin required more than 24 volt for direction change....Thank god litigation is not a European thing
Is there a way to use Lionel 027 turn out so I can run a train and have another train sitting on the side track
Yes. It's very easy using a SPDT electrical switch (Atlas makes easy to use power control switches if you are uncomfortable will electronic parts). On the track where you want to park a train, insert insulating pins in the center rail at either end of the track you wish to control. If you are using a SPDT, attach the center contact to your track power (transformer). Attach on of the two remaining contacts to the center rail of the track you wish to control. Leave the other contact open. When you throw the SPDT switch to the power side, the control track receives power and the train will run. To stop the train, throw the SPDT the opposite way, removing power from the center rail. (Or use one of these: shop.atlasrr.com/p-2310-hd-connector.aspx)
First To View This... I Actually Have A K Line Turnout! They Are Good. K Line Made Good Products
That Was Very Enlightening, The Limit Switch Never Knew That.
Thanks for watching! Yes, I like the K-Line's and use several O27 and O42 on my layout. By the time Lionel took over the line they were committed to FastTrack, so Lionel just let these die. It's a shame.
@@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125 I found out by accident! I was trying to wire up an automatic reverse loop with a K-Line on one end and a Lionel on the other and I couldn't get it to work because of the difference in wiring.
Thanks mike I have not seen very many of the O42 if you run across a pair at a really good price let me know. Thats also great info on the Marx singleand double reduction motors I never gave it much thought but that explains a lot of the problems with switches. Thats why I started usingthe Prewar American Flyer switches. Great info. in all a nother Great vide. Thanks . GMan
If you are using single-reduction "fat wheeled" motors, another option is the Lionel #1121 (1937-1951). These have no guardrails for the gears to catch, but still work ok with other Marx and most Lionel Postwar and MPC engines.