Hi GUYZ,
I have 0-72 Remote controlled Fasttrack and for the most part works very well for me. Last night while running my Lionel UP 844 FEF I noticed that when it goes over the curved section of the track has a little hop or bump, then falls into place and continues along its way. I later reverse this and on the reverse way goes over same track and doesn't hop or bump. Did anyone ever have this happen, and is there a fix? Just a little annoying, would like a smooth transition.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Hi GUYZ,
I have 0-72 Remote controlled Fasttrack and for the most part works very well for me. Last night while running my Lionel UP 844 FEF I noticed that when it goes over the curved section of the track has a little hop or bump, then falls into place and continues along its way. I later reverse this and on the reverse way goes over same track and doesn't hop or bump. Did anyone ever have this happen, and is there a fix? Just a little annoying, would like a smooth transition.
I video would help. I've seen some cases like this but its not always the same reason. It can be badly laid/uneven track, a piece of too-tight curve that got in there (one piece of O-48 rather than O-54 for example) or something sticking in the trucks of the loco, or even a traction tire coming loose.
Hi LEE,
Where I get the bump is when the driver comes in contact with the plastic re railer on the curved side past the switch. It hits that plastic part and jumps up. Can that be removed or not?
I had a brass engine here for an upgrade that bottomed out on the Fastrack switch right past the frog and did a little hop. The flanges were a bit taller than normal and it would hit that going over it.
had a similar problem with an Atlas switch. the roller was dropping into the void near the frog as seen in pic. the fix was to secure a small piece of rail in the void. only happens with certain engines with slightly narrower rollers. it took close inspection with lights amd mirrors to spot the roller dropping.
had a similar problem with an Atlas switch. the roller was dropping into the void near the frog as seen in pic. the fix was to secure a small piece of tail in the void. only happens with certain engines with slightly narrower rollers. it took close inspection with lights amd mirrors to spot the roller dropping.
I had the same problem on our layout (all Atlas track & switches), with 3 or 4 Lionel steam locomotive models, one being the Legacy UP FEF-3 #844. I purchase new, wider, pick-up rollers from Sunset/3rd Rail and changed out the "too narrow" Lionel original pick-up roller, and replaced them with the wider Sunset/3rd Rail pick-up rollers. Porblesm solved.
Laz1957,
In reality it's not your FT 072 switch, every engine depending on the wheel set & design will roll a little differently thru your switches, I would not alter the 072 FT switch because you are going to find different engines, doing different things as they go thru the FT switches, the little bump occurs on some of my older Tin Plate engines and rolling stock also, Lionel did a great job designing these new FT switches to accommodate most all old & new engines and rolling stock, I would let the switch alone.
PCRR/Dave
Thank you all for the replies on the FT switches. I guess I can live with a little hop now and then. Thanks again.
had a similar problem with an Atlas switch. the roller was dropping into the void near the frog as seen in pic. the fix was to secure a small piece of tail in the void. only happens with certain engines with slightly narrower rollers. it took close inspection with lights amd mirrors to spot the roller dropping.
I just had the same problem with one MTH engine and one Atlas switch (out of about a dozen of each). Looks like you have a better fix than I did and I may try yours. I just slightly bent the pick up roller which helped a great deal. As you say it was extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact problem.
I have a older MTH Premier engine that must have taller flanges. You can here the flanges hitting the FT plastic ties in the curves.
I honestly think this is an un-solveable problem.I have identical engines where one rocks going through an O-72 switch in reverse but not forward and the other does not.Just be glad you are not having derailments.Have fun.Nick
I have a older MTH Premier engine that must have taller flanges. You can here the flanges hitting the FT plastic ties in the curves.
I just noticed this with some Williams passenger cars, I guess the spacing is somewhat marginal.
Ladies & gents,
Most people simple modify trucks or rolling stock in some small way to eliminate the problems. Don't run thru your FT switches at 100 miles and hour and you will be fine
with most trains.
PCRR/Dave
on my train board(pics included).
I used to have an Oil Tank siding,
with a Tank car parked on the siding.
Had a O gauge tubular track switch
on that corner. Trains would constantly derail
during shows. so the switch came OFF
and I have been running loops ever since.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
