Replaced a Switch at the JSSX Yard

Had leaser engine BSTX (Brian Smith Transportation) 5859 out on the layout for some work this week, and almost immediately ran into some track trouble.  Kept hitting a spot at the track switch at the JSSX yard entrance where the engine would either: a) stop cold, or b) derail.

So that was annoying.

I've had trouble at that same spot before, and this time was enough that I decided to lift the offending (Atlas) switch out and replace it, this time with one from Peco which I had on-hand.

Here's an older "file photo" of that leaser engine, although it is in a location at the other end of the yard from where the trouble is/was.I had weathered this engine for Brian, and then ended up buying it from him, breaking my moratorium on buying new engines.

Anyway, here's some boring pictures of that trouble causing switch (middle of the picture)If you look closely, you can see that there's a small piece of rail, probably an insulated section, missing just to the left of the frog.  I don't know why it's not there, but I think it's been this way for quite some time.

I soaked the ballast with water and isopropyl alcohol, let it sit for a few minutes, slid the rail joiners back, and was able to lift the switch right out.  Snipped a couple of feeder wires too, and then scraped out the ballast.

There's the Peco replacement switch in place.  I soldered in the feeder wires, and put the ground throw in place.  That's actually moved over about an inch from where it had been.  I've filled in the ballast at that other switch at the bottom of the pictures too.

After a few successful test passes with the engine and a few freight cars, I replaced the ballast and applied the glue to hold it all in place.  Maybe paint some ties tomorrow, and add a little bit of ground cover here and there as well.

And I'll close out now with this view of 5859 waiting for the ballast glue to dry before being cleared to run through the new switch.  The whole process was over and done with in about two hours.  Could have been worse.

Have a real good Labour Day holiday weekend everybody !