Weaver Milwaukee Road 4-4-2 truck problems

I upgraded mine a few years ago and ran it for hours on the club layout which is all Gargraves track and Ross switches without a problem. That said I may have had to change truck springs. Is the front engine truck the one thats giving you grief? If so maybe a stronger spring might help.

Pete

Yes it is the lead truck that is derailing. It is really sloppy. Of the three they all seem to be different as far as a spring, or no spring. Washers just one or more? The screw is a long strange affair, and when I tried to add a couple of washers, the screw could not get down to catch the threads and tighten up. If I need a new spring type, where do I find them? And any idea of the correct assembly sequence. I am hoping for some real help. Thank you.

@Norton posted:

I upgraded mine a few years ago and ran it for hours on the club layout which is all Gargraves track and Ross switches without a problem. That said I may have had to change truck springs. Is the front engine truck the one thats giving you grief? If so maybe a stronger spring might help.

Pete

Well that gives me hope! Thanks.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

Well that gives me hope! Thanks.

Jeff, I just checked mine and there is a small spring above the lead truck. I did this build about a dozen engines ago so am not positive if I had to do anything with that spring but it appears a spring is necessary.

I have a couple of spring assortments. Handy to have in instances like this or as they are prone to do leap into the ether on their own.

Pete

A spring sounds good, but where did you buy an assortment? I assume these are more in the realm of for model trains.

If you check your truck is there a lot of sloppiness it seems mine wiggle all over. Don't know how else to explain it.

@Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

A spring sounds good, but where did you buy an assortment? I assume these are more in the realm of for model trains.

I bought my first one about 40 years ago from Edmunds optics. Second one from Amazon. Auction sites or just use google to find other suppliers. Micro Mark sells them. If the spring is missing or weak you will get more sloppyness.

Pete

I hate to bother you, but do you remember if you used a straight spring or conical ?

I see Micro Mart has a nice set, but out of stock at the moment.  Thank you!!

Jeff, I am not sure I had to change the spring but the one thats in there appears to be straight compression spring. I will get it out tomorrow.

Pete

Thanks Pete, I certainly appreciate this. The little so-so spring in this one engine is a cone shape and the whole affair seems a mess. Even the threaded screw seems to be questionable. When you have the time, I will wait.

Here you go Jeff. I think the springs are cheapies and are shot. Mine was almost collapsed on itself providing zero down force. I kluged another spring that now gives some downforce. If yours has a conical spring I suspect it was a replacement for the same problem. You don’t need exact size or shape, just something close that extends above the post slightly that the truck mounts too.

Likely the reason mine didn’t derail is minimum curve on the club layout is 096.

Pete

Pete Here's a couple of photos of what my screw and parts look like. The washer is so small in dia. that it is hard to keep it in the slot of the truck.

Jeff, its not assembled correctly or at least not like mine. The truck goes on top of the stud, not under it (looking at it upsidedown). Remove the two washers and spring from the stud and screw it into the shell. Place the spring over the stud, then one washer, then the truck, and finally the second washer and screw to hold it in place.

Pete

OK I will get back to you tomorrow. Again thanks for all your help and your patience!!

Here's a quick video that I tried to catch my problems on the Ross Switches. I am still having problems trying to figure out how to prevent this.