the front wheels on my pw 2025 lionel engine sometimes derails on my ross switches. i have checked it out somewhat, but have not found too much play in front truck. i also have a pw 2056 with no problems over the same switches. any ideas?
Think good thoughts, do good deeds!
The 2056 has a 4-wheel pilot truck that keeps the wheels nearly aligned with the rails. The 2025 has a 2-wheel pilot truck with too short a tongue, that oversteers on curves. You might improve things by adding a weight or a stronger spring; but the only sure cure is to correct the steering geometry by lengthening the tongue and moving the pivot point to the rear.
If you want to try to move your locomotive's pivot, the exactly correct location is slightly forward of midway between the pilot-truck axle and the middle of the drivers. The amount by which it is forward of the midpoint is the square of the wheelbase, divided by the total distance between midpoint and pilot-truck axle, divided by 8. This is about 1/4 inch.
Bob Nelson
I don't use Ross switches, but I have had good luck by checking the front wheels for being out of gage and widening them a bit. Never had another derail after that. Maybe it will work for you too.
Roger
Also be sure there is not too much side-to-side play at the pivot point of the truck assembly.
hello: the truck in question seems to be ok , however to tweek the wheels a bit is a little scary, any hints?
hello: i am new to this site, thanks for the help. fiddleing around with the wheels is a little scary, any ideas?
If you have looked at the wheels and decided they are too narrow there are a few ways to widen them depending on what tools you have around. If you are short on tools find a 3/8 wrench, or an adjustable wrench. Turn the axle and wheels up on each end over a hard surface and slide your tool over the lower wheel. Take a hammer and hit the tool close to the axle and wheel. The goal is to drive the wheel down along the axle a bit. Do both sides and keep track of progress. There are some tools that can be used to spread the wheels too. You also can buy a replacement front pilot set for around $7.00.
hello: i have a variety of tools around. it seems like one sixteenth of an inch sticking out on each side. i will give it a go and see what happens; thanks for your help and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
hello: i did what you said and it worked perfectly! of course i took the truck off the body before i did it. now however, i fear murphy's law is in play; now i am getting a kinda grinding noise which i never heard before. when i turn the engine upsidedown and spin the wheels by hand no noise; when i put it on the track grinding in both directions. any ideas? the engine is a 2025 by lionel. i have had it since i was a kid.
Did you remove only the truck, or did you have the whole assy out of the boiler shell? Maybe one of the side rods is rubbing, a wire maybe touching a gear, is the armature oiled properly at each end? Are you sure you reinstalled the truck correctly? Maybe the wheels are rubbing the boiler?
Tell me what all you took apart.
Flanges now rubbing against the rails?
hello; no assembly was removed or tinkerd with. side rods clear and no other exterior rubbing. more symtoms: seems to be armature making noise;i can see it turning from inside of cab. maybe it's just getting old like me! front truck perfect. when engine is placed in hand and wheels are moved with palm of other hand i can hear scraping or rubbing noise which i think is armature noise. you guys are so helpful; thanks for the kindness.
hello: nothing was taken apart. i only turned the engine over, took the lead truck off, widen the wheels as directed and put the front truck back. stumped!
Try taking the pilot truck off again and running without it, as a test.
hello; tried running without front truck;no difference. when put in palm of hand whether right side up or upside down unusual grinding noise,but does not prevent wheels from turning. noise not like a metallic scraping noise but a electric motor noise. noise is present in either direction. trying to describe noise as best i can. no resistance or binding anywhere outside that is visible.hate to bring in for service, but if i have to bite the bullet i will. ouch! thanx for your help.
Before you give up have you tried oiling the armature shafts, both sides? What about the 6 axle bearings and small idler gear stubs? Does the gears all have a coating of grease?
From your description of the sound, I'd guess that some small object has gotten jammed somewhere. Possibly in the armature. If it were my locomotive, I'd tale it apart and and look for anything lodged where it shouldn't be.
The 2025/675 can be a bit of a pain to disassemble/reassemble, so be warned that you'll need patience.
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