Premier Mikado Pilot Truck derails on curve

There are a myriad of scale Mikados with different pilot trucks,….what’s the item # and some pics would be helpful…with out them, it’s a guessing game…

Pat

20-3284-2

That’s a Premier with the scale flanges….that locomotive has the 2-3 feature……it may not like that particular brand of track…..check your track for evenness, making sure there’s no odd transitions…..be sure the truck pivots and articulates as it should. Check gauging vs. track. You may have to find a happy medium to keep the wheels locked between the rails…..I never had much luck with the 2-3 feature on my layout as well,…

Pat

That looks like the scale version with thin flanges meant for two rail?  G

I would try to get a 3 rail truck for this.  MTH parts up and running ?

@clem k posted:

I would try to get a 3 rail truck for this.  MTH parts up and running ?

Could do that, or just change out the wheels with something more appropriate….I’d start first looking at the gauging to see if by chance altering the gauge helps,…what’s he got to lose?…if it ain’t working, ain’t doin him no good anyways….😉

Pat

@nsp154 posted:

Morning,

I picked up a Premier Mikado and was test running on my track. I have gargraves track (054) curves. At the curve, the pilot trucks derail, every time. I have inspected the trucks and they appear to be fine, no bends or apparent abnormalities.

Would anyone have my ideas or suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Are the scale wheels on the PILOT the only problem ?

If that is the case you might want to install a stiffer spring on the pilot.

I have a steep downhill into an 031 curve that gave me the same problem with my Railking Imperial Mallets at speed.

After the stiffer spring was installed the problem was eliminated.   .......................don't use super strong springs . You don't want to bounce the front drivers off the rails . 😨

Is that a factory install? Was it installed correctly?

It almost looks like it's upside down, and like it was "cobbled" together...see how the pivot point looks off center...

A centering spring would certainly help.

Mark in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

Is that a factory install? Was it installed correctly?

It almost looks like it's upside down, and like it was "cobbled" together...see how the pivot point looks off center...

A centering spring would certainly help.

Mark in Oregon

It is indeed factory, and it’s not upside down. The issue the OP is having has to do with the type of track, and the flanges. These locomotives are pretty much 2 rail scale engines with a center rail pick up provision. He’s using Gargraves track, which is more similar to tube track then scale rail…..the short flange wants to ride up the tube, then derail…

Pat

I see... although (and believe me, I'm not arguing with you! ) I have been able to run small flanged, 2-rail stuff (of all types and makes) on Gargraves track without any problems. So you are probably correct in guessing it's a question of it being out of gauge...

Mark in Oregon

Thanks to all for the help!

FWIW, I had issues a bunch with the scale wheels on Fastrack, so I sold the few I had.  I don't know if they'd run properly on my new layout with Gargraves/Ross, but I'll wait until someone else brings one to run before I chance it again.

@Strummer posted:

Is that a factory install? Was it installed correctly?

It almost looks like it's upside down, and like it was "cobbled" together...see how the pivot point looks off center...

A centering spring would certainly help.

Mark in Oregon

Mark , the pivot point on these does have an opening below the screw and disc that allows that part of the pilot wheel assembly to slide AND rotate left and right.   In certain positions that pivot point would look off center with that screw and disc hiding the opening.

HOWEVER......I agree with what you are saying about the the pilot wheel assembly being upside down. 🙄

It looks to me like the circular depression round the C clip is too large and should be facing up to accept the bottom of a conical spring .......which would be normal.

Boy are we killing this dead horse.  There is no need for a depression for a hidden spring, but you do want the c clip and head recessed not to hit a middle rail when run on one.  If you flipped it, the wheels would angle up making it worse.  Stiffer spring if you can find one could help, but some models are more problematic then others on certain track.  G