Front wheels on legacy K4 coming off the track new train

Sometimes the pilot wheels will ride up a rail joint. Sometimes adding a new locomotive exposes issues with the track. Part of the hobby.

Something must be amiss on the pilot wheel assembly. I have one of these and run it on o-48 all day long.

The tooling is the same for the older legacy k4 as the newer offering with the long tender.

I'd turn both models over and compare to see if there is something bent or missing from the one you just purchased.

For one , theres a spring that helps to keep the pilot wheels on the track. If this loco was used its possible someone may have had it apart and lost the spring.

I had the exact same problem with my Lionel M1a Mountain on a O-54 curve. The front truck kept derailing on the same curve. I oiled it, loosened it etc and it kept happening.  I then went to Lionel parts and bought a new one and replaced the old one and all is well. I then bought another just in case!!!

Thank you - I did the compare and found the issue. The back wheel had two wires that were short (in length), so it limited the movement of the back wheels forcing the front wheel off the track.

Great Tip Ricko - Greatly appreciated. Increased the wires and the train is moving nicely around the track now.

Thanks