Is there anyone in the South Central PA area. Having track issues and have it the max frustration level in working them out and looking for assistance. Keep getting derailments with the Large MTH Steamers, T1 and Q2 types.
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What type of track are you using? Derailments on straights, curves, or switches?
--Greg
South Central PA checking in. Where are you located and how can I assist?
Cesar
I'm also in South Central PA, but not very mobile (knee surgery last week). But I'm more than willing to help debug remotely.
George
I converted and expended my layout from Lionel Tin Plate O Gauge to Gargraves to expand curves to 072 and 080. I have a 072 grade and cant seem to get it all my larger locomotives to make it thru the curve. I feel like my basic bench work may be the problem but would like a second opinion before I take it apart. I am in the Waynesboro, Mont Alto area and not a member of the forum yet.
What's derailing? Is it the lead/pilot wheels or the drivers?
I've had a number of similar issues where a slight bobble in the track grade is enough to derail the pilots of some locomotives. It doesn't have to be enough to be obvious, just enough to be obvious to the locomotive.
Several questions:
1) How big (steep) is the grade?
2) Is the locomotive going downhill or uphill?
3) Are you experiencing a derailment or is the pilot shorting out on the center rail?
Sometimes with GarGraves track, the track joint creates a low spot because the track ends flatten out somewhat. The trick is to put a shim (small styrene sheet) across the track at the joint to lift it up and make it even.
George
You need to run your locomotive very slowly and watch carefully what actually happens at the particular spot. Then report that back here.
George
Gargraves track is not as forgiving as Tin Plate track. The tender rear truck was derailing. Going up hill, I wanted to run the locomotive in that direction due to the other end of the grade is a little steeper due to the shorter run to get the required clearance. The grade is about 3 feet longer than the.072 loop that is making the climb. I found a slight dip/kink at the joint and put some cork roadbed to bank the curve a bit and did two slow loops with no problem. Could not see the problem except from about 8 feet away. Now the locomotive is hitting the wall ever so little, barely makes a mark on the paint. Had the same problem with my Centipedes and thought I fixed it then. New locomotive new problem now I wonder what will happen when I pick up my Premier Q2 hopefully this weekend.. The lead truck on my RailKing "K" shorts out now going threw a .022 switch on the center loop that I am now going to remove. Harder project under the upper level and still recovering from both knees being replaced. Makes it a lot harder to work on the top or under the layout. restriction is can't get no my knees. Thank ever one for their assistance and ideas, my frustration meter was pegged in the red and just needed someone or something to clear it. Part of the frustration from knee limitations.Makes working on the layout hard and discouraging at times. Anyone in the area wnat to look see and give thier 2 cents is welcome and appreciated. Again Thank You all.
I had that problem once, on some long wheelbase steam engines the drivers would clime over the outside rail. Check to see if the outside rail is lower than the inside rail. If so, shim under the outside ties so the rail is a little higher than the inside rail. (Super elevate) Also, if room permits you could increase the radius at the beginning and end of the curve (easement)
