MTH 20 2251 NEW HAVEN trucks jumping track, too close to Center rail shorting

What diameter track are you using? The engine is hasted O72.

Does it jump off on curves and straights as well as switches> 

What diameter are the switches?

Also, what is the engine's real MTH ID#? The one that you provided is the MTH Weed Sprayer.

Running on 07 to track. The front of the cow catcher area if you want to call if that is what seems to want to be very close to the track and I see a lot of Sparks. I did add a small washer which brings it up and it seems to eliminate the sparking or most of it. The engine seems to 1/2 derail when it goes on a Ross switch. I also have a m t h scale gg1 which does the same thing, that is derailing??

Jerry,

It's possible that your track work isn't laying flat.

Jerry A posted:

Running on 07 to track. The front of the cow catcher area if you want to call if that is what seems to want to be very close to the track and I see a lot of Sparks. I did add a small washer which brings it up and it seems to eliminate the sparking or most of it. The engine seems to 1/2 derail when it goes on a Ross switch. I also have a m t h scale gg1 which does the same thing, that is derailing??

By 07 to track could you possibly mean O-72 track?  If GarGraves, are they factory curves or did you bend it using a jig?  If the 'cow catcher' is sparking, perhaps it has been bent down.  You may want to assure yourself the track is solid without kinks and that it doesn't flex.  What is the black material beneath the ties?  What is under the black material?  How is the track secured? What do you mean that the engine seems to 1/2 derail?  If two or more items have the same problem only at one section of track, it may suggest your problem is in the track.  John in Lansing, ILL

Was this a new locomotive??  I have that locomotive and it has no problems.   Again, was this a new locomotive.

Looking closely at the picture it appears you have track issues. #1- it appears you track is NOT fastened down as is evident by a gap in one spot of the material under your track. #2- it appears you used felt or a substance like it to try to dampen the sound hence why you track is going up and down. #3- with the power off, I would suggest putting a straight edge or level (at least 3 feet long) on your track. You are mos likely going to see that your track work rides up and down hence your problems!

Also several people have ask for the proper MTH number to which you still have not responded.

I just ran my LIONEL VIßION LINE gg1 with ABSLULETLY NO FRT TRUCK DERAILING. The issue is eith the frt truck derailing.I solved the cow cstcher spark issue. What

Can I do with the front trucks to stop them from derailing all over the place?

Much thanks, Jerry

Please provide answers to the questions being asked of you.

Thank you very much for all your replies. I appreciate it. I think the culprit is bad trucks relative to wheel gauging. I am going to try to replace the wheels with Lionel post-war and see what happens. I am sure it's not my layout cuz most all my other trains run perfect especially the Lionel ones. Again much thanks for your help.

Jerry

CurtisH posted:

Looking closely at the picture it appears you have track issues. #1- it appears you track is NOT fastened down as is evident by a gap in one spot of the material under your track. #2- it appears you used felt or a substance like it to try to dampen the sound hence why you track is going up and down. #3- with the power off, I would suggest putting a straight edge or level (at least 3 feet long) on your track. You are mos likely going to see that your track work rides up and down hence your problems!

Also several people have ask for the proper MTH number to which you still have not responded.

Not sure I agree with you.  I've looked at the photo several times and the part that counts, the rail, seems to be straight and smooth.  

The fact that not only this particular loco is having tracking issues but the GG1 was mentioned having the same issues.  Perhaps the fault lies with MTH manufacturing.  

The first run of MTH EF-3s have a well known derailment problem caused by the wheels being out of gauge.  There are several old posts on this forum about this issue.

I have a MTH EF-3 streamlined engine that is about 10 years old that I have never been able to run even on O-72 curves and switches.  The only fix is to get the wheels back in gauge but I haven't figured out how to do this.  I have a MTH EP-3 box cab of the same vintage that runs perfectly on the same track.  

MTH made a new run of EF-3 streamlined engines a couple of years ago.  I haven't heard of any problems with the new engines.  I don't have the new engine.  The new engines have PS-3 electronics.  The older engines with the problem have PS-2.  

NH Joe

Dan Padova posted:

CurtisH posted:

Looking closely at the picture it appears you have track issues. #1- it appears you track is NOT fastened down as is evident by a gap in one spot of the material under your track. #2- it appears you used felt or a substance like it to try to dampen the sound hence why you track is going up and down. #3- with the power off, I would suggest putting a straight edge or level (at least 3 feet long) on your track. You are mos likely going to see that your track work rides up and down hence your problems!

Also several people have ask for the proper MTH number to which you still have not responded.

Not sure I agree with you.  I've looked at the photo several times and the part that counts, the rail, seems to be straight and smooth.  

The fact that not only this particular loco is having tracking issues but the GG1 was mentioned having the same issues.  Perhaps the fault lies with MTH manufacturing.  

Could be. I just learned a long time ago not to trust the eyes and use a level or straight edge. Main point is he has not yet listed the actual number for the locomotive some of which have enough weight to make the track ride up and down if possible due to underlayment. Was only trying to eliminate that completely. Personally felt will move up and down from my experience if not fastened down.

Curtis

Dan

I went back and looked at picture again. I still feel it is track as the front truck looks like the rail is rising to that point and then goes down again behind it. I love this forum due to just this fact. Everyone has different ideas and are so knowledgeable. I would be lost without help from people here. I appreciate your and their knowledge and experience. How did we ever survive before this forum? Probably one of the reasons I am getting bald. Pulling hair out.

Curtis