Large Scale Central

Pico R3 Points

Hello
Just picked up an old Pico R3 points which are in very good condition overall but have one snag. The switch blades don’t want to stay against the fixed blades and like to be midway between the two positions. I have tried lubrication and that did not really improve the situation. I notice there is a “return” spring fastened to them and I wonder if this is the culprit?

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I also note that the jumpers between the fixed and moving parts of the switchblade assembly are both rusted and very rigid and could this be the problem? Any help would be appreciated.

Bill

Hi Bill,

That top center wire spring is intended to snap the points to one side or the other, once the throw rod goes over-center.

So it sounds like there is resistance to the motion somewhere, fighting both the switch machine and the center spring.

You might try removing the switch machine, and making the points move freely back and forth. If not, your rusted pivot screws could well be the problem, fixed by simply replacing them.

Otherwise, perhaps there is something inside the switch machine, grease, dead bugs, dirt, etc., that is gumming things up. You can open it up, clean the parts, and lube with some light and plastic-compatible oil.

My 2 cents…

2 Likes

Always a good start :sunglasses:

Thanks for that but still a bit sticky. Do you know if the centre spring is fitted correctly?

Bill

Have you tried removing the spring to see if that helps? I’m guessing it was added by a prior owner.

Good suggestion. I’ve not seen both methods used on a single switch.

as i mentioned on the other forum:

yes, but…

if you take out the spring, and have a look.
the open spring needs to have a greater distance between its hooks, than the distance between holes, when the blades are pushed well to one side.
if the spring-hooks are nearer together, than the holes in the ties, it will draw the switch into the “middle-position”.