Derailing problem at turnouts solved

[cncproadwarrior]

I had a problem with one Athearn BB SD40-2 diesel derailing in reverse (2nd in a consist) at 3 of my 20 FastTrack turnouts.

I tried filing the rail points razor sharp, checked the gauge of the wheels, swapped trucks. Nothing helped.

Then I checked the gauge of the point rails where they meet the stock rails. Every turnout that had a derailment problem had the gauge too narrow about 1/4 inch before the points. I know, I know, I should have checked that. But I thought that since the lead loco went through fine and that none of the cars derailed that the gauge was correct.

Now my locos derail at turnouts because I forgot to throw a throw... or two... or three...

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

It's good that you found the problem before you pulled your hair out. I had a similar problem with a Bachmann turnout. The point rail that lays against the stock rail was bent in a little too far. With the help of a pair of needle nosed pliers it came around to my way of thinking and I haven't had a problem with it since.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Glad you found it, and I bet it was a simple case of just regauging the track to repair.

This also shows one of the advantages of hand laid track. Regauging is easy and can be done with no trouble. Imagine what the repair would be if it was an expensive piece of prefab.

But one thing that should always be done with all track, hand laid or not, check the gauge with an NMRA gauge, and all problems can be taken care of then before it manifests itself under a locomotive.