lionel Tank Train Cars Derail Easily

i have 18 tanktrain cars and i run gargraves and ross switches and never had one car derail...I run 0-72 and 0-80 what are you running yours on..

My radius varies from  054 to 072.  My track work is not perfect.  I usually can identify and fix imperfect areas.  But none of my other cars are so prone to derail and I have been running on this track for years.  The problem also varies by speed.  And I can have long operating sessions with no derailments so do not think this is happening all the time.   But unless I can weight these cars properly, change the trucks, or whatever, I do not think I can run them reliably on my layout.  Phil

Those cars are very light, and long. Try putting them at the rear of the train. 054 curves and "S" curves can cause problems. Opening them up to put weight inside is very tedious, and almost impossible not to break something.

Also remove all those cars from the train and add 1 at a time running for awhile. See if its just 1 or 2 of them or all 6.

I was thinking of getting these cars.  Would I have trouble with them on a 0-48 curve?

They would be best operated as a separate unit train.

 

Andrew

 

Those cars are very light, and long.

 

Phil

 

I do not have the Lionel tank train cars.  However, I do have the ethanol tank car which may be similar.  Mine weighs less than 14 ounces.  That is very, very light for a car over 50 scale feet long.  To equal the wight of one of the Atlas 90 ton chlorine tank cars it would need almost a half a pound of additional weight.  At 21 ounces I doubt you would have problems on track work where other cars operate well.

 

That said, what kinds of derailments are you encountering?  Where in the train are the tank cars when they derail?  Is just one axle jumping the track or are several cars string lining?

 

 

Phil, I had the same problem because of their light weight.  I did add weights and that solved the problem.  Opening them up was not that difficult.  If I could not start an end to open with my fingernails, I used the edge of a dull Exacto blade to start it.  Carefully pull out the end of each car.  The only problem is to not bend the handrails.  I then use tire balancing weights with stick on backing.  I put about an ounce, two weights, on the bottom of each side, over the trucks.  Push the ends back in and you are in business.

Why did Lionel make these cars this light.

You should first bring the cars up to NMRA standard.  Some tank cars center dome or end cap can be popped open by carefully inserting a sharp putty knife or screw driver into the crack there and twisting.  If they won't open then remove the trucks and there usually is opening in the bottom of the tank there.

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Dennis

I weighing them down the way folks describe doesn't help, check out the wheelsets. For example, how deep are the flanges compared to cars that don't have problems, could they be too shallow for the track you have? Could they possibly be wobbling a bit, that might cause problems? Could something be causing the trucks not to pivot properly? My guess would be the weight as well, but if that doesn't cure it, it likely is something in the wheel sets. 

Gerntlemen:  Thanks for all the replies.  These are neat looking cars.  But they are very light for their length as I learned when weighing other cars and comparing.  Using rubber bands, I started attaching 1/2 ounce weights under each end of the car and adding weight as I experimented.  This solves the problem.  If you plan to run these cars on anything except 072 plus curves and track work is not absolutely perfect plan to weigh them down. After I determine how much weight to add, I will get rid of the rubber bands and either open them up as suggested or attach them some other way.  My first attempt at putting them on the trucks did not seem to do much good.  But on the car bodies things improve.  Any suggested weight amounts  that have worked well for any of you?  Thanks again.  Phil

Phil,

 

Yes, as stated above, weight them to NMRA standards.  That is for "O" gauge rolling stock each car should weigh 5 ounces + 1 more ounce for each inch of car body length.

.....

Dennis

Has anyone brought this to Lionel's attention?   Very surprised Lionel did not test these cars.

I would but I have 18 gatx cars and they have never derailed

       
       


You would only have trouble if you run really long trains and/or tight curves and mixing these cars with other types of freight cars.

I mixed them with other freight cars and run 25 cars with no issues and I run them threw curved switches at fast speeds

Too many of us, 25 cars is not a long train If you have 18 of those tanks, with 7 other cars, that really won't cause any problems.

Yea theres so many layouts that can pull 100 cars sorry i forgot...

Maybe not 100 cars but, I sure enjoy 35 to 50 car trains, depending whether they are mixed freight (35) or 2-bay coal hoppers (50).

Hand bent curves or factory pieces? Any groink can quickly cause an issue.

Same locations and direction each time?