Scale Berkshire - Pilot Derailing - advice?

There was a problem with the front truck bushings on some Berkshires. Check out this thread

https://ogrforum.com/t...ires-a-permanent-fix

There's an issue with the delrin bearings in the new berks, but the issue there was the packaging broke the bearings and the axle falls out. If the axle is in the truck, then its not the problem. If you're trying to run an 054 engine on 048, then that's likely your problem. The track diameter is nominal, and it might be O47 or it could be O49. It also depends how precisely the locomotive was put together. If the wheel gauge is a little wide, then its going to have a lot less slop against the curvature of the rail and it will do exactly what you're seeing, which is hop off the track. If its riding up and jumping, the track radius is simply too small for the locomotive. Look and see if the pony truck is hitting the cylinders or something. Maybe there just isnt enough travel.

That was not the only problem.  On mine (and others) the bushings were intact but we're not installed all the way making the truck ride high and causing derailments.  Some of the bushings were damaged in assembly and could not be pressed all the way to their lock position.  I was able to cut away some of the damaged plastic in the locking slot. Others just got new bushings.

I took a few videos - none of these will win any prizes for videography, but they show 2 runs with derailments and one without - may help to diagnose the issue

Ps - this is not a recent issue Berk, it is from 2003

I had a similar issue which I solved by removing the pilot truck and placed a heavier duty spring in place of the original. Solved my issues.

That's what I was thinking - a little more downward pressure would sort it.

J 611 - do you remember the source of the spring you used by any chance?

I know some will call this heresy, but going back to the days of tight curves for all of us O gaugers,  I found that at the apex of a curve a little widening of the gauge by applying some finger pressure to the outside rail helped many a rigid locomotive pass through without riding up on the rail.   I can't tell from the photos if your rail is tubular or solid (Atlas).  With the Atlas track it is impossible to push out the outside rail. However a little work with a file or other emery paper can relieve the sharp edge at the railhead.  

Good luck.

Earl