MTH 2-8-0 Steamer Derailing

@Harlee62 posted:

My 2-8-0 steamer derails when it crosses a siding switch track but no issue when it crosses the opposite end of the siding switch.

i can’t find anything that stands out.

When I run a diesel loco I have zero problems at the switches.

Thats not alot to go on. Are these Ross switches, Lionel tubular, Fast track, etc?  Are you saying if it enters the sw FROM the diverging side it derails? Or are you saying it derails entering the switch TO the diverging side.  What is the 2-8-0 model/manufacturer?

MTH made a gazillion different 2-8-0’s …..we don’t know which one you have. Also, we don’t know whose track you have, So we don’t know anything!….for best responses, always put the item number of the afflicted engine or train set in your subject que, …also, in a situation like this, a video of exactly what’s going on is very helpful…..

Pat

The 2-8-0 is MTH 30-4181-1

it derails entering the switch just to go past and not enter the siding.

when the switch is set so the locomotive enters the siding there is no problem and will run through the siding and out the opposite end.

track is MTH RealTrax

hope this helps

I’ll make a video as well

Here is a short video and picture of the switch

The circled part is your problem. Had this same issue with Realtrax switches.

This point needs to ride tight to the rail, the smaller & lighter flange of the front wheel can find its way on the other side with the tiniest of gaps and do exactly what is seen in your video. You can even bend that point rail towards the outer rail a little with a needle nose pliers.

If you look at this exact moment in your video, you can see where the flange found a tiny gap that made its way over the rail. If your video was panned to the right just a bit more it would be easier to see:

There’s a tiny hair spring under the switch that needs to be reseated on the pin…unscrew the plate under the switch and you’ll see what’s what.

Thanks H1000, I noticed the tiny gap at the switch when I was getting the switch ready but did not realize it would cause this issue.

I will go after it with needle nose pliers and report back the results.

I would also look at the pilot truck. Is there a spring to force the axle down? Is it operating properly? Many times failure is not from a single cause, but two or more things aligning.

I checked the spring also lubricated the spring, axles and pivot pin.

thanks

@Harlee62 posted:

I checked the spring also lubricated the spring, axles and pivot pin.

thanks

Was the spring askew ?

The spring under the front truck is fine.

didn't find anything wrong inside with the springs there either.

i did find the inside rail has a slight twist in it right where the switch is this can be seen in the picture.

i was able to tweak the rail and the transfer rail a bit plus I filed a taper on the end of the transfer rail and now all trains are happy and no more derailing!!

thanks everyone for you help and advise.

@Harlee62 posted:

The spring under the front truck is fine.

didn't find anything wrong inside with the springs there either.

i did find the inside rail has a slight twist in it right where the switch is this can be seen in the picture.

i was able to tweak the rail and the transfer rail a bit plus I filed a taper on the end of the transfer rail and now all trains are happy and no more derailing!!

thanks everyone for you help and advise.

Good catch on the twisted rail! Glad to hear everything worked out, Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!