Our MTH DDA40X and UP #80 Coal Turbine, 1st edition upgraded, both have the same difficulties operating in reverse. I get what seems like a lot of derails, and when operating the turbine lashup in reverse it's almost guaranteed the turbine will derail on turnouts and crossovers. If it's running on the mainline with wide curvatures and tangent track it usually does okay but the lead truck on the PA will derail on a 120 curve. The DDA40X can't seem to get over a series of connected turnouts when going straight through them without stuttering, almost dieing, then speeding up (running 10-15 MPH) forward and reverse. The minimum turnout these guys have to deal with is 80* on the layout. I've one curved turnout the coal turbine can't turn out on, which I think is a 90(?), forward or reverse, without derailing.
I suspect the turnout is worn out, or just faulty;it has a cracked tie ... and we're going to replace it.
Turnouts are all level, track into and out of is level with the turnout.
None of the 2-axle locomotives nor the 3 axle diesels, have these problems. The MTH Challenger has a derailment problem on that same curved turnout when trying to take the inside route. The front engine wants to lift up and off the rail.
I've gone over and over both locomotives upside down and hanging and nothing seems to hang up turning.
Is it something in the way the trucks are designed?
Any suggestions what to next check out?
Always a puzzle to solve on the Cabin Lake and Western Railway! Ya gotta love this Sherlock Holmes hobby!
Thank you.
