400e binds on std 42 track

look at axle at wheel,  is the end of axle flush with axle?,  just need to press wheels in a tad,

or the track is not round, I have some that are tighter than others, you might be able to pull rail out,

The engine should work on 042 track. 

Check wheel gauges and tracks gauge for being uniform.

  Check train in curves facing both directions too. If something is off center the other direction should not bind.

   Find what limits your trailing truck, maybe trim it? It won't take much from what I see.

  Is that pictures track "straight-curve-straight" ? Two curves in a row, it would likely have more binding. 

Thanks for the helpful ideas, I will check on what you guys have mentioned.  I think the problem appears to be an S curve in the layout. I'll try to redo it without the S part and see what happens.  Incidentaly, I purchased some new straight track from a well-know tinplate dealer, 6 sections and 3 of them had dead shorts from the center rail being crimped too tight.  Waiting for a response, if they will send me 3 more sections, so I'll have to wait to get them and try it again. 

Next time I think I'll contact USA track instead...

An es (s) curve! That could do it.

   I usually only think of that being an issue for reversing small gauges while switching; but do have a few O goodies that bind in an es only, and not in a regular curve.

  If that's the case, adjusting by use of curves, or even half curves, with straights between(full or short), might  give you an es it can handle.

Everybody is having issues with the MTH track. USA Track is the way to go.

What is happening on the curves? Is the train just slowing down? 

Hi Jim, the tender is getting pulled off of the tracks, presumably from the draw bar being yanked to the side.  I tried to slow the engine down to get a better view of whats happening, but it was kinda hard and I didn't want the circuit break to trip.... again.....  Because I had the issue with 3 sections having dead shorts, I can't run it around the track, just ran it around the 72 curve and then into the "es" section where it rocked the tender back and forth.  At the other end is a 42 curve, which I hope will be fine once I remove the "ES" section and use some more 72 sections and straights.

Thanks, Mr_P

NJCJOE posted:

Everybody is having issues with the MTH track. USA Track is the way to go.

I'll second that. Dump the MTH track and go with USA.

http://www.standardgaugetrack.com/

I put what is most likely the same engine on 42 track. It pulled through fine. Here is my view from the opposite direction.

Does the deck of the engine and the deck of the tender hit each other?

Are the trucks on the tender turning freely from the tender deck?

I assume the engine without the tender will run through just fine.

someone put wrong draw bar on?,, or is it restricted , , side to side,,

looking at the pics, I think the 42 curve section will be fine, I will check the drawbar tonight to make sure it moves easily, etc.  I'm pretty sure it's the correct one. Amazing layout jim !

make sure the tender trucks turn freely. Try pushing the tender only through the curves.

I doubt the draw bar is the issue.

  It's so close to not binding, I'm willing to bet it's only binding from the es's curves.

   At the curves transition, the change in direction at the front of the loco,  changes the outside overhang at the cab, from the normal "outside" half position over the center rail, to the inside half, opposite of where it normally lies, during a normal curve, hence the bind, derail on the rear truck, or pulling the tenders lead truck into a derail. A short straight between the es's curves often eliminates the issue, unless severe.

   Maybe someone has 2 extra 42" curves, to test that theory on their loco? At 42" I think even USA track may have the same bind.

 (Es was one of my elementary school's teacher's pet peeves. Just because I thought of her, I used it; folks actually, rarely use it at all anymore )

Well, I tested the engine thru a 42 curve and it seems fine.  Also ordered some track from USA to replace the defective ones i got.  No word from the dealer who sold me them.  I'll have to call him on Wednesday, since they're only open from Wed thru Sat. I'll post some pics once I get the track finished.

Thanks to all for you support,

Mr_P

Fixed the track with some gasket material.  Took all the center rails out and replaced the insulator.  Every piece had issues.  The only thing isolating was the black tie finish.  FWIW, the track has Lionel stamped on it.  Won't make that mistake again...

Mr_P