Prewar rolling stock tracking over switches

Roger,

I've had it happen one time in the past fifty-years. It happened with a little 4" Lionel caboose. I taped a quarter inside, never happened again. One answer is the wheels rolling up onto the rails. I've found this to be caused by excessive speed. In all my years in tinplate the hardest thing for newbies to learn is...SLOW DOWN...LOL!!

God Bless,

"Pappy"

The uncoupler/unload pickup shoes on trucks will sometimes foul on the points of some brands of switches, causing derailing.  All electrically uncoupleable Lionel prewar trucks had these, as do modern unloading cars, which also give this problem.

This was not an issue on the pre- and post-war 022 switches.  It is on modern Gargraves and some other brands

I like the idea that my interests in this hobby are evolving. I never had an interest in tinplate I guess because when I attend  local train shows/swap meets, most of the stuff I see for sale is broken, rusted junk. But there is a lot of product out there that is restored and while purists might be horrified, I am finding the colors and shapes to be more and more intriguing. 

Good tips, guys. Much appreciated

Roger

What kind of track? There can be a difference.

C.W.,

I use 54 inch curve 027 and 027 fixed voltage switches.

-Roger

the only derailing trouble I have with my Prewar is when I try to run a long train (12 or more cars) on a tight curve, mostly if I try to start the train on the curve. 

Roger1,
   Remember Tin Plate was originally engineered to run on Conventional tubular track and switches, it has a certain profile that accommodates all the different Tin Plate Engines and Rolling Stock, some of the newer track and switches are not engineered the same.  What track & switches are you using on your layout?  If you are using FasTrack or Conventional Lionel tubular you will have no problems.
As was noted run your Tin Plate at reasonable speeds especially thru your 027 switches, I run both my 2600 series rolling stock and my 800 series rolling stock on the old 027 tubular with no real problems. PCRR/Dave

Dave,

My track is modified 027.....I've added wooden ties to them and blackened the center rails. The ties shouldn't be an issue because they are the same depth as the metal ties. If the switches (1122Es) aren't an issue, I'll pick up some rolling stock. I've also been looking at a 262e lately. Would the gears behind the drive wheels have a problem on those switches? 

Roger

Some older engines, made before 1950 will have problems with uncoupling tracks, and your 1122 switches. They should be OK with 1121 switches, but that won't help you.

The problem is caused by drive gears hitting obstructions built into the newer tracks.

I wish I could tell you which ones have problems. Off the top of my head, I don't recall, other than 1654 and perhaps the 1656, which are both postwar engines.

Roger1,

   I have not had any problem with my 262E going thru my old Lionel 027 switches or any of my O gauge switches either, but if you have modified them that maybe another story.  Remember however the more you keep to 048 and bigger switches the better your trains, of all kinds will run thru the switches.

PCRR/Dave 

Dave,

In this hobby, we all make some good decisions and some.....not so good. When I got back into this hobby, my original intention was to get my childhood stuff back running. It's morphed into way more than that now (which is a good thing). But one of the vestiges of those early efforts was using my original 027 track (mistake on many levels). I corrected my early problems by replacing the old track with brand new and modifying it. And using big curves. But I stuck with the switches (bad decision). I've modified them for fixed voltage and put in a capacitor system to eliminate the buzz. I also periodically replace rough riding switches with smoother ones. So, they work well, but...they are still 027 curves in the switch and that has been a problem which I just have to deal with because at this point, going to something else would require ripping out my layout and starting over. Not something I'm going to want to do anytime soon. So, bottom line, I have to deal with those switches. I've got a ton of engines now.....I just don't run any big engines through the switches. For switching work, I've got a bunch of MTH diesel and steam switchers that will make it through back to back 027s. 

     I'm not going to get into tinplate in any big way. But if I can find some stuff that will make it through my switches in a reasonable fashion, I'll do that. If it's going to be a major issue, I won't bother. Seems like I'll have to pick and choose.

Roger

Roger1,

   Hay the 027 stuff is real cool, in may ways I would like to have enough space to put both up for Christmas myself.  If you are looking to acquire a Tin Plate engine that will

run thru your 027 switches the 263E Lionel original will do it and so will the Repro 263E MTH made, the 027 switches will also accommodate the 800 series rolling stock.

The Crane Car has a little problem if you don't keep the speed down however.  You can get away with combining your 027 tack with the bigger O gauge switches by building graduated wooden track ties, in and out of the switches, works real cool and you can then use the incredible 711 switches, we use to do it all the time to incorporate both O and 0-27 track & switches on the same layout.  Hope you have lots of fun engineering your Christmas layout!

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

Would I be better off with the 263 rather than the 262?

Well, now I'm ready to devote some time and effort to prewar. I took delivery today of a 2226W that I bought on the Forum to pair up with my 226E (my only prewar). Beautiful pair. Spent this afternoon and evening stripping it down, cleaned the motor up, replaced brushes and springs....all the typical maintenance. Just finished. The air whistle in this has the best sound of any I have. So.....now I have to get rolling stock to put behind them. 

Much appreciated all the helpful tips accumulated above. 

Roger

Can you retro fit an e-unit in a 262 to make it run like the 262E?

Roger

Roger1,

   As Steve points out there are different sizes of the Lionel Tin Plate, the 263E, then the mid size 264 and the smaller 262.  I would not try to up grade the units, it's easier to find the exact engine you are looking for, and most times less expensive.

Labor today is a killer, even when some engines can be upgraded, unless you can do the work yourself and want to fully restore the complete engine.

PCRR/Dave

Will the box and latch style couplers on MTH tinplate rolling stock be compatible with the box coupler on my 2226W?

Roger

Roger1,

   I would need to see exactly what couplers are on each, the trains came with a couple different kinds of couplers.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

Well, my "new" 2226W tender has the "automatic" box couplers on it, so I think that since the 226E and that tender are pretty big, the rolling stock I get for it will be the larger freight cars. And....I think I'm going to go with MTH tinplate for that. Nice and shiny new. Most of the cars I've been looking at have the box couplers as well, so I should be good to go.    Tonight, I replaced the sliding shoe on that tender so.....everything is operational and waiting for some cars to pull. 

Roger

Roger,

   I actually like the auto box couplers best also, they operate correctly and work properly.  Some guys like the very classic latch couplers, especially if they have

Standard Gauge.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

After I replaced the sliding shoe in the 2226W, I tested it on the track and it was the first time I'd ever seen one of those couplers open up. VERY cool.

Roger