I found a piece of rail laying loose on the yard surface. After inspecting it, it appeared to be one that was a “hinged” rail from an Atlas C55 turnout. That would be because Atlas #7 C55 turnouts are all there are on my layout that aren’t scratch built. So I started looking around and finally found a trackswitch missing a hinged switch rail. I put the rail back in place, but it apparently is missing something that holds it in place, because it keeps coming loose. Is there any fixing this, or am I just out a #7 switch?
There should be a very small snap ring that goes on the bottom of the pin/hinge on the bottom side of the switch. If it's no longer under the switch, good luck finding it. You may be able to rig something or someone else here may have an idea or two.
If you cannot remove and repair the turnout, you may want to try a repair that I used. I managed to break loose one of the hinged rails on an Atlas C55 #10, which was already glued down and ballasted. I was able to very carefully solder the pivoting end of the pint rail to the adjacent closure rail (and, i think, to the mounting surface) from above. Yes, it does make the hinge a "non-hinge" but the fix has worked well, and the code 55 rail is long and flexible enough to do its job. Hopefully, if you try this fix. the #7 rail will do the same. Good luck, and just remember to solder carefully, clean up and file the joint, and keep testing and filing until you're satisfied.
You know, normally I spell check and re-read my posts to correct any grammatical and spelling errors. Spelling and grammar errors really bug me! Either this one slipped by or I had beer on the brain. Of course the Point rail in question is "pint" sized, so maybe I'm not as far off as first thought.... We now return you to your regularly scheduled forum.