027 2026 weight distribution question/issue

[Lionel1948]

Hi Everyone.. I'm new to the forums . Im Phil from NY. I appreciate in advance, any help you can give. I just got done setting up my dads postwarLionel trains from 1948. I got everything going good worked out most all the kinks. I will send a pic of my layout. I notice there have been a few threads but not much on the front wheel truck on these models that are prone to derailing. I noticed my spring is totally shot(2-6-2 layout) and the train looks like the weight is distributed unevenly with the front looking like itsup higher than the back sits. This coule be an issue.. The back spring looks OK but i could be wrong.. What is the correct tension  should it be taught?. 

 

Thanks again for any answers or advice you may have and I am glad to be a part of this forum

 

Phil

[BigAl 956]

Welcome to the group. I can't give you an exact spec but there should be noticable downward force on the truck(s). Often we blame the trackwork or switches for derailing when the problem is most likely a worn out truck spring. I keep a bin of them at home for repairs.

[Lionel1948]

Thanks Big Al.. I guess the rear truck spring definitley needs to be replaced then ..

[Firelock76]

Welcome aboard Lionel1948!

[LL675]

for all your parts needs call Jeff Kane....best of the best

 

http://www.ttender.com/

[lionelsoni]

 

Those locomotives suffer from an incorrect steering geometry, which causes the pilot truck to oversteer and often derail on curves--the sharper the curve, the greater the effect.  If you put the locomotive on an O27 curve, you may be able to see that the pilot wheels are not parallel to the rails, but angled toward the inside of the curve.

The pilot truck should have a longer tongue and should pivot around a point midway between the pilot-truck axle and the middle-driver axle, which is about where the motor's front crossmember is located.  You may get along with a stronger spring or more weight on the truck or both; but, if you're willing, the real cure is to splice on a longer truck tongue and to create a new pivot at the correct location, as by drilling and tapping the crossmember.