American Flyer 484

[Beatle]

My front truck wheels (4) on my American Flyer 4-8-4 derail to much. Any sugestions on how to correct this?

 

 

0

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Is there a spring between the truck and frame?  If not the added downward pressure helps keep the wheels in contact with the rails.  If the derailment happens in the same place or similar place ensure the rails don't drip and are level, shimming as needed.

Check to makes sure the wheels are not cracked or have chunks broke off.  Also make sure the axels are straight and the wheels don't wobble

Jim 

[Beatle]

 Thanks for your reply it looks like I made need a new spring how do I take the truck off to replace the springs 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The base of the truck will be held on with screws usually.  Take a very soft spring of sufficient diameter to span the base and the part that the axles go through, and separate the first coils of the spring and thread the spring around the rivet that attaches the base that screwed to the frame to the part that holds the wheels, kind of like how you would put a key on a key ring with the spring being the key ring.  Then screw the truck assembly back onto the frame.  The spring should make the truck maintain contact with the rail but not so strong it lifts the front of the engine.

 

Jim

[Beatle]

awesome thanks