Lionel-Flyer Heavyweight Derailing problem

LittleTommy posted:

My American Flyer NYC heavyweight cars. made by Lionel in 2007, purchased new by me and run monthly since purchase previously preformed perfectly, but about 3 months ago the rear truck on the observation car began to derail when going around a curve on the layout.  I tried cleaning and lubing the trucks but it still happens and now it is happening on another car in the consist as well.  It is run on an established layout of Gargraves track with flyer switches which was built in 1989,only happens on one curve ( which is just slightly wider than the "21 inch radius" that Gilbert advertised it's sectional track to have), but it negotiates all the other curves on the layout including one that I have yet to rebuild that has a radius slightly under the "Gilbert Sectional Radius" (I am using this term to avoid any arguments about how to measure the radius of curves).  

I would welcome any ideas about what might be going on and how to deal with it.

Thanks for looking,

LittleTommy

 

 

Little Tommy,

    I am not familiar with those heavy weight cars but if it just started happening and on only one curve every time I would check the width between the flanges, Look for a chip in the Flanges or check the inside dimension between the rails of that curve. Then get back with the results. Good luck.

Donald Payer

I had the same problem my AF heavyweights.  They started derailing on curves and in switches.   Turns out that as Donald suggested it was the width between flanges which because of the design of the wheels had come out of gauge.  This is especially true if the flanges of the center wheels are the least bit wide.  In my case this was easily fixed by pressing the wheels back together or using a gauge tool.  In a couple of cases I actually had to widen the gauge on the outer wheels even after correcting the center wheel of some of the trucks.

Bob

I agree with the previous posts.  I'd also check the gauging of the track.  Sometimes it can be off especially if it's tinplate.  But more likely is the wheel back spacing.  Lionel isn't known for their accuracy in that department.  For simplicity sake, I use an American dime.  If it fits with a few thousandths between the backs of a wheel set, you're fine.  If not just widen them a bit. It's not that hard but be careful not to separate the half axles from the center insulator.  Good luck and keep us informed!

Jerry Poniatowski

Thank you all for your help!

When I checked, all the track was in gauge but all of the wheel sets in all of the cars  were out of gauge (all were too narrow) , but most especially on the obs car.  Modestly spreading the wheel sets into gauge completely resolved the problem!

It looks like the problem was bad engineering by Lionel  I'm shocked, shocked! https://youtu.be/HMIyDf3gBoY 

Thank you!!  I would have NEVER have figured it out without your help!

LittleTommy