I have developed a problem with a couple of my Hiawatha "A"s with the lead truck. There is a switch or two where the truck always rides up and derails. Any thoughts for a "fix".
Thanks.
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Weaver’s 3 rail pilot trucks on all of their steamers have pretty generous large flanges. For a clear picture of what’s going on, if you can remove the pilot truck, and push it through the offending switches, you may be able to see where the problem occurs. Several factors can cause this aggravating issue, ….wheel gauging could be off. Check and see how much of the wheel’s tire is contacting the rail vs. the flange, and or outer part of the wheel. Too much flange….this can cause the wheel to ride on the flange , and the tire portion of the wheel leaves the rail altogether. ……I’ve had to trim some flanges off of Weavers, Willaims, etc. to navigate particular switches, etc,…..Pilot truck swivel. How the pilot truck articulates on the locomotive itself can also cause issues. Sometimes the simple fix is a light lube of pivot points, slides, & spring guides. …….Spring tension. Sometimes the spring tension isn’t enough, or can even be too much, …..there has to be a fine balance of downward pressure, but not so much pressure it begins to lift the locomotive,…but the latter would cause more problems than just what you’re describing here,…..lastly, what track are you using?…what switches?..ballasted?, not ballasted, toss up some pics of your set up for better clarification and diagnosis if the help is still needed…
Pat
Thanks. I am using all Ross switches. As for the lead trucks on these 4-4-2s there are no springs. I can send pictures later. MAybe the lack of springs is the culprit, but I have three of these and they are all alike.
what diameter switches?
