Repairing a Dead Point

[BWsTrains]

I've inadvertently damaged a PECO Streamline SL-88 as shown here, I'll not go into the gory details. The spring mounting is broken beyond recovery and as I've ballasted it firmly in place it raises my question of how to best insert a replacement.

 

 

The thought of ripping up 60-80cm of laid ballasted track on one side to fit the new point does not enthrall me so I was wondering if a more localised solution might be viable as both ends are firmly locked in place. Could I cut out the point at the track joins with my Dremel, insert new point accurately in place then re-establish electrical connections by careful soldering at sides?

 

This is not a high profile location being at back of layout so have some latitude with the visual aspects.

 

Thoughts, advice etc will be appreciated,

 

Colin

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2018 by BWsTrains

[lezz01]

Hi Colin.

Yes mate what you do is wet a couple of sheets of kitchen roll and fold into a strip the width of the ballast. Cover this with a piece of polythene and fix it down with tape. Do it last thing at night and when you wake up the glue will have gone liquid again and you can lift the point and a bit of track either side without damage. Done it myself more than once so I know it works. 

Regards Lez.Z.   

[Dagworth]

Is it fitted with a motor? If so then fix the motor to one of these that has the spring instead of the one in the point. If it isn't then fit one of these and a motor.

 

https://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3309&CAT_ID=3337&P_ID=17647

 

That way you don't need to disturb the point at all.

 

Otherwise fit a Tortoise type point motor that doesn't need a spring

 

Andi

[BWsTrains]

Is it fitted with a motor? If so then fix the motor to one of these that has the spring instead of the one in the point. If it isn't then fit one of these and a motor.

 

https://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3309&CAT_ID=3337&P_ID=17647

 

That way you don't need to disturb the point at all.

 

Otherwise fit a Tortoise type point motor that doesn't need a spring

 

Andi

Thanks Andi,

 

Should have asked first!

I didn't know that option existed so went ahead and bought the replacement point. Specialised stock like SL-88 not readily available here so I grabbed the only one my dealer had at the time. Quick check shows PL-12 as a special here as well.

 

Am I right in understanding that I'd pull the existing PL-9 mounting plate off the motor and attach PL -12 instead?

Is it of same depth as PL-9? My point motor pin is cut spot on for length into the point's cross bar hole so couldn't sit any lower.

 

 

Colin

[lezz01]

Hi Colin.

If the drive pin is too short just fit a sleeve and extend the pin. It sure beats lifting track mate. If the peco option isn't good I'm sure that seep do one that is self latching.

Regards Lez.Z.

[BWsTrains]

Hi Andi and Lez,

 

The store has been good enough to refund my point purchase (beyond their policy period) so I'm back in the game. Thanks to your help I've various options for fitting the PL-12 with the existing or my spare PECO motor and am confident it'll all come good. Now I just need that Dean Goods with sound to come into stock so I can piggyback the PL-12 purchase with it

 

Colin.  

[BWsTrains]

PECO point repair -

 

Just to confirm that Dagworth's recommendation worked like a charm; it was an easy swap over from PL-9 to -12, some minor repairs to the point draw bar to reinforce it and the point is as good as new.

 

Thanks to all who contributed and saved me a heap of woe and effort.

 

Colin

[Dagworth]

PECO point repair -

 

Just to confirm that Dagworth's recommendation worked like a charm; it was an easy swap over from PL-9 to -12, some minor repairs to the point draw bar to reinforce it and the point is as good as new.

 

Thanks to all who contributed and saved me a heap of woe and effort.

 

Colin

Glad to know you were able to sort it easily

 

Andi