Post war GG1 trailing trucks derailment

Another question which just occurred to me, It seems that all my engines travel more smoothly thru my several Ross switches.  Is it likely that Ross switches would cure my

GG1 trailing truck derailment problems?

Are the pilot and trailing trucks the ones with the slide shoe to operate the coupler on a special activation track,  Somtimes those get hung up on the center frog as they go through it!.

Just something to watch at eye level?

Ben

Check out this material from the Lionel factory service manual. Derailing GG-1 pilot trucks is a common problem, and can be addressed.

taylorra:In addition to the above and the Factory listed "fixes" for the front/rear GGI pony trucks; you might see if a newer addition to the list of "fixes" might help. 

          When Lionel brought back the GGI in MPC days, they used the  "fast-angle wheels" on the pony trucks.  This caused a "Waddle" of the truck(s) as it traveled down the track. 

          Two "fixes" were used to help eliminate the problems.  One was to change out the  Fast-angle wheels with the older type of  "flat-tread wheels" as was used in the Corporation days.   The other, was the use of two washers and a spring over the trucks around the truck guide to put additional pressure on the truck to the rail.  A large phenolic washer was used against the truck with the spring and then a brass washer was used to keep everything from slipping up into the frame

          I would also check the wheels of the current trucks on their axles. Units that have had much run time without periodic lubrication, could had enlarged axle holes and cause the wheels to wobble about the axle and could cause derailments.  Hope this helps. Dennis M.

Found the number 8970 as the MPC GG1 model they were modifying.  An e-mail to Lionel generated the following part numbers for the washer and spring.

    Spring  6308064049

    Washer 6308302P15

   The service tech recommends using 2 washers over the hook which slips into the frame, with the spring sandwiched between the washers.  I know they have these in stock.  I will order enough for 2 trucks, install, and test the operation. Will post my findings.

 I got the washers and springs from Lionel.  Apparently the size of the hook on the GG1 trailing truck which guides the truck varies from model to model.  To use the washers, Ream out the hole in the washer with a round file or carefully drilling until you get a snug fit over the hook.  Place one washer on the hook down to the truck.

Place the conical spring over the hook, large end on the washer. Place second washer over the hook, compressing the spring.  You will need to apply some pressure when mounting the truck to get the hook up into it's slot.

       THE DIFFERENCE IS AMAZING!!!!

   The trucks track smoothly thru the switches and crossovers with no wobbling at all.  A great fix for an old problem.

Would this same fix keep the lead truck on the track of a K-Line GG1?  I ran mine for the 1st time on O27 and the front truck kept climbing out and shorting.

 I had actually tried this same fix on my K-Line GG1 prior to learning about the springs and washers available from Lionel.  I used thin steel washers from Lowes ( they have cabinets of unusual hardware across the aisle from the normal bolts, screws, etc. section).  The problem I had was that I could not find an appropriate spring to sandwich between the washers.  The conical spring from Lionel works perfectly. After adapting both trucks on my Lionel GG1, I only had 1 spring left.  I used it on 1 K-Line truck with the steel washers which saved me reaming out the Lionel bakelite washers. I have only modified one truck so far.  Will try to do the other truck this week.

   I can't say that this fix will work as well on the K-line engines.  After the modification, the truck has more downward tension then before, but the truck seems to have a greater tendency to wiggle vertically, front to back, than the Lionel

truck.  Still, I think it provides some level of improvement in the tracking of the K-line trucks.  The cost, with shipping, for the parts was about $20.00.  Half the cost was shipping.  Not a bad investment to keep these rascals on the rails.

Could someone post photos of the mod, parts and location on the truck?  Also any instructions please?

See the parts view here of the GG1. Look at the pilot truck assembly in the lower left corner. Notice the hook on top of the truck assembly. Order (1) spring  #630-8064-049 and (2) washers #630-8302-P15 for EACH truck. You may have to ream out the washers as taylorra posts above. Put one washer over the hook, then the spring, and then the other washer. Reassemble the truck to the frame.

Larry

Thanks.  I'll have to look to see if my K-Line has that hook, or one like it that I can put a spring on.