PRR Modeler
Well-Known Member
Afternoon All,
The started out with the grandkids and lawn camp. We finished up around noon and since daughter was here I didn't need to drive them home. After lunch I went up to the layout room and cleaned the newly ballasted track.
I decided then to test run the Genesis F3 and 2-8-8-2 to find any ballast issues. Well.... On the right hand loop around the F3 would derail going up the incline (past the soldered track joint), always in the same spot if it ran any faster than 15 smph. To make it more confusing if it was backing up the incline or either direction coming down the incline there was no issue at any speed . I spent probably 45 minutes fiddling with the track painting and ballasting without any change. I also gauged the loco wheels and track but they were in spec. Since the track is on a incline and super elevated using a level isn't much help.
At this point I said the heck (not the real word) with the F3 and ran the 2-8-8-2 around the ballasted track expecting it to derail in the same spot. Much to my surprise there was no issue going in either direction at the spot or any other for that mater.
By this time I'm scratching my head and thinking I wonder if the ballast when it dried changed the super elevation at that spot somehow (I'm clutching at straws) so I spray the area with RA to loosen the ballast and slip in one more styrene strip (from For Sale sign) under the outside edge of the problem spot and then tested it. Now the F3 runs the loop at 50 smph forward and reverse without issue. SMH.
I need to retest the 2-8-8-2 with the change but that is for tomorrow. I was over MRR'ing at this point.
Troy- When I lay track my thumbs always feel like pin cushions from the rail joiners.
Joe- Sounds like great progress. Neat photos.
Rich- Great pictures.
Willie- Nice layout bars.
Guy- Nice picture of the homestead and railcar.
I hope everyone has a good night.
The started out with the grandkids and lawn camp. We finished up around noon and since daughter was here I didn't need to drive them home. After lunch I went up to the layout room and cleaned the newly ballasted track.
I decided then to test run the Genesis F3 and 2-8-8-2 to find any ballast issues. Well.... On the right hand loop around the F3 would derail going up the incline (past the soldered track joint), always in the same spot if it ran any faster than 15 smph. To make it more confusing if it was backing up the incline or either direction coming down the incline there was no issue at any speed . I spent probably 45 minutes fiddling with the track painting and ballasting without any change. I also gauged the loco wheels and track but they were in spec. Since the track is on a incline and super elevated using a level isn't much help.
At this point I said the heck (not the real word) with the F3 and ran the 2-8-8-2 around the ballasted track expecting it to derail in the same spot. Much to my surprise there was no issue going in either direction at the spot or any other for that mater.
By this time I'm scratching my head and thinking I wonder if the ballast when it dried changed the super elevation at that spot somehow (I'm clutching at straws) so I spray the area with RA to loosen the ballast and slip in one more styrene strip (from For Sale sign) under the outside edge of the problem spot and then tested it. Now the F3 runs the loop at 50 smph forward and reverse without issue. SMH.
I need to retest the 2-8-8-2 with the change but that is for tomorrow. I was over MRR'ing at this point.
Troy- When I lay track my thumbs always feel like pin cushions from the rail joiners.
Joe- Sounds like great progress. Neat photos.
Rich- Great pictures.
Willie- Nice layout bars.
Guy- Nice picture of the homestead and railcar.
I hope everyone has a good night.