Lionel "General" steam loco (4-4-0); front trucks easily derailed

I would try adding weight.

If there's room try sticking weight or a Magnet or two to the truck.

Definitely worth trying to add some weight. Is there a spring there that is supposed to hold it down?

BillYo414

Yes, there's a spring at the front truck, but it seems "weak.  It doesn't exert much downward force to the front truck. I wonder ... is there a Lionel replacement spring that provides more downward force? Or add a second spring?

As others suggested, this weekend I'll add some weights to the chassis up front.

Mike Mottler   LCCA 12394

Also check the gauge of the front wheels.  If the wheels are too close together they will derail often.

Charlie

I'd stretch the existing spring to exert more down force or source a stronger spring.

Out of curiosity, is this a Lionchief General or the Legacy General?

Brad

B rad

My Lionel "General" steam loco is an older model -- Rock Island & Peoria RR with a snazzy chromed boiler.  I'm a Rock Island collector/operator, so I bought it because of its namesake. It's a conventional loco -- no TMCC or Legacy. Actually, it is now the only conventional loco in my modest collection. I toyed with the idea of adding ERR circuitry to it, but the tender is small.

Mike Mottler   LCCA 12394

@Choo Choo Charlie posted:

Also check the gauge of the front wheels.  If the wheels are too close together they will derail often.

Charlie

I agree with checking the gauge; however, on the General I had the wheels were spaced too far apart.

@Mike H Mottler those springs usually are weak because that's all you need. Weights are probably easier.

I would worry that putting a stronger spring just going to push the body/chassis of the locomotive up and make it run with an odd stride.