BR44 pilot wheels creating a short

Not sure exactly where contact is, but since this is 2R one wheel is part of chassis ground and would not cause issues if it touched shell.  The other wheel would.  You have to get clearance if you can not isolate the part from the chassis.  While not ideal, if that post does not move in and out you could slip heat shrink on it, or isolate the back with some Kapton tape. G

I had a 2 rail NP Challenger do this with a steam pipe. It wasn't the turn radius causing the issue alone. It was when the engine rode over uneven track. I could have torn up the area and redone it. Instead, I first ground the pipe area away from the wheel to create more space, and then added insulation to the pipe to make sure that it didn't short.

https://ogrforum.com/topic/engine-shorting

I don't have an MTH 44, but based on your photos I have these thoughts [ note that they are not necessarily good thoughts....]:

1.  I would loosen the two bolts that retain the pilot assbly and see if it can be moved forward a bit.

2.  Is the piston rod extension cover parallel to the rails on that side ?  The first photo seems to suggest it isn't, but that may just be optical.

2b.  I notice it appears there is a bolt 'missing';  is the whole cylinder assembly square vs the main frame  ?

3.  Is the wheelset within gauge ?  Check it vs a Lenz car if you don't have a wheel gage.

3b.  Do the wheel centers seem to fit evenly on the axle -- is the amount of indentation at the hub the same on both sides ?

4.  Have you tried this on more than one RH turnout  ?

Have fun !!

Community Member

Members,

Thanks for your responses and at this point I have come up with a solution to insulate the pilot wheel from the contacting cylinder assembly.  I have first applied 2 coats of a liquid electrical insulation mask, followed by 2 coats of clear nail polish.  (I couldn't find black).  This was applied to both the outer wheel as well as the cylinder.  When completely dry and hardened I will test operation. 

I have checked the area in question and have not uncovered any issue. Complete right/left coupled with up/down movement of the pilot wheels indicates contact will occur normally.  That said I did confirm the short occurs  only when the BR44 travels in a CCW forward direction, hence only the right wheel shorts when in contact with the cylinder.  If my solution fails I'll be stuck with clockwise ops only.  Could be worse! 

Thanks again everyone for your interest in helping me solve this problem.  First off, The 2 stage coating has solved my problem, but will require attention/monitoring down the road (track), so to speak.  I'm still interested in learning what is broke that causes this issue.    At first I thought there were 2 missing screws that restricted the pilot wheels range of travel.  I then flipped my similar MTH French 141 on its back and found the same 2 missing screws.  I have called MTH but they must not be in the shop, I'm sure they will explain what those screw holes are for.   

IMO Those threaded holes look like they're for the original shipping to me. I have them on my large MTH one gauge engines.

Otherwise, I don't know what you're describing as missing.

The price we pay for having brass details! They should be insulated. Some are not.