Hi, I am new or actually starting over late in life with model railroading. I put together a track with two turnouts using Bachmann ez track. I thought I could operate the switching track manually with the handle on the turnout because I don't have ac voltage available yet. But it seems that the track doesn't move over all the way into place necessarily when the handle is thrown. Is this a defect in the section of track or is the problem caused because I am not using current to draw the rail over and keep it there? George
It sounds as though you may have a defective switch. It should work perfectly when using the manual throw. Is this the case for both of them? Either way, I'd return it for a replacement.
Im a newbie like you, but I'll share some recent experience that may be useful. As David said, the turnout should work smoothly however you operate it. I acquired a bunch (about 35) of used ones very few of which worked that way "out of the box". Regardless of the make, Atlas, Bachmann, Trix, AHM, I haven't seen one yet where I couldn't open up the actuating mechanism and fiddle with it in the attempt to correct its mechanical function, which has usually been successful as long as the solenoid wasn't damaged. Of course if you've bought new ones you should take advantage of the warranty, but there's a lot of money to be saved by buying used ones (try eBay) and salvaging them. One caveat; have a tube of Ambroid handy to tack some parts in position, like the solenoid, to aid in reassembly.
