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New to this forum, and very new to the hobby of model RR-ing. Have a question regarding turn radius of 6-axle locomotives and why I keep derailing on my turnouts (switches)?
Is this a common flaw with the loco being just too long? Strange that it does not derail or decouple when on the 30-degree EZ track, but it does decouple/derail on the switched side of the turnout.
Any thoughts ???
What size turnout do you have? Is the turnout Bachmann E-Z track also? If it's a sharp turnout like a #4, you probably will have tracking problems with a six wheel locomotive. Bachmann turnouts are also known for their poor tracking as the trucks will pick the points of the switch and derail. The first thing to try is a small flat file and filing the points so they are razor sharp.
Try going faster thur the turn out !! NO don't Jim is right if it's a sharp turn out larger units will have trouble also make usre the points are tight when the switch is thrown
Larry
I had a derailing problem with my old Con Cor PA-1's derailing at a facing point turnout. The turnout was immediately after a 9 3/4" curve and the curve was on a grade. The real problem turned out to be too sharp a vertical transition from grade to level. The lead axle on the front truck would actually lift up off the rail. Since the loco was comiing out of a curve, the dynamics were trying to keep the front truck straight as the axle lifted off the rail. When the axle came back down again, it was no longer lined up with the rails. Onto the ties it went. The solution required tearing up about 12" of track before the turnout and relaying it to eliminate the sharp vertical transition. Now the PA's run smoothly through the turnout, regardless of speed.
Oddly enough, my new Kato E8 wants to derail at the same turnout, but from the opposite direction! I haven't figured that one out yet. It may be a problem with wheel gauge since the track is straight and level approaching the turnout. My Life Like E8's don't exhibit the same problem, so I'm thinking it must be the Kato.
Darrell, quiet...for now
Darrell:
Check to see if the axles are wandering side-to-side in the truck frames in the Kato E8. I've had a couple that slid a little too much.
Also check for the obvious, like a piece of ballast or something else that might be hitting the flange.
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