Anybody else had this problem? I have a Protosound 2.0 Penn Aerotrain (30-2954-1) virtually mint. When going around right turns on my RealTrax 042 curves it "chatters". Initially I was convinced that the wheel flanges must be hitting the RealTrax ties, but on careful examination that is just not possible. I'm really stumped. No problem if turning left. So far can't get MTH service to respond to any e-mails. That isn't making me very happy either. I have an older Protosound 1.0 Aerotrain that has no problems, but I can see by looking that they have changed the truck design.
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Are you talking about the engine or the cars? The trucks on the Aerotrain cars are fixed and do not pivot which I am sure you have noticed. Maybe one is slightly out of tolerance for gauge. I would check all the wheel sets to make sure they are in gauge. Exactly what do you mean by 'chatter'? Is this a visible chatter or vibration as the train runs or are you describing a noise?
You could try running the engine with each car separately and see if one of the cars is the culprit and then just run the engine by itself. Also try oiling the wheel sets.
Hope this helps.
The problem is in the engine. Does it without any cars, or with all of the cars. It sounds exactly like you would imaging the flanges hitting the track ties, but after looking at it up close I don't believe that is possible. It's kind of a real fast "thump-thump-thump". I think I can see it jumping, but am going to experiment some more. Might be the traction tires hopping but why only on right turns, and why with no cars?
I was hoping to find someone else who had seen this problem.
Maybe it is the flywheel hitting the wire bundle or a tie wrap inside. Again I would check the wheels make sure the axles are seated properly and even. I have the older PS 2 Aerotrain and have not experienced this issue.
Also, run with the sound off to make sure it is not in the sound set. I had a squeak on my 2-8-0 and found with the sound off the squeak was gone. It was part of the sound set.
Maybe you also have the clickety clack on, make sure that is off.
pennsydave, I think you're on the right track (no pun intended). It does seem and sound like an internal problem with a rotating part. I'd suggest a body off run and see if that'd help.