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Hard Decision

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  • Member since
    July 2011
  • From: Canada
  • 20 posts
Hard Decision
Posted by Vuzzez on Friday, August 12, 2011 4:21 PM
I am using Bachmann easy track in the Benton Southern RR but the derailments are severly common. I am begining to rethink the idea of ballasting the track in case of more derailments. Do you have any suggestions on what I should do? Any help here will be hot. Thanks in advance for any tips.
Builder of the fantasy railroad, Benton Southern(under construction)
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, August 12, 2011 4:30 PM

Go over your track and turnouts with an NMRA standards gauge

Check all the joints for kinks or one rail higher than the other - run your finger over the joint.

Make sure all turnouts (other track) are flat.

Check the wheels on engines and cars with the NMRA standards gauge.

Do not move on to ballasting until the track and trains work flawlessly.

Good luck

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    May 2007
  • From: East Haddam, CT
  • 3,272 posts
Posted by CTValleyRR on Friday, August 12, 2011 4:58 PM

Do I understand correctly that you are using Bachmann's EZ Track, the stuff with the roadbed attached?

This should make it much more difficult to get lousy trackwork.  Do what Paul says, for starters, and look at where and how your trains are derailing.

Is it always the same cars / locos, or always in the same spots?

I forget -- what equipment are you running.  If you're trying to run 3 axle diesels or anything bigger than a 2-8-2 steam loco on an 18" curve, that may be the source of your difficulties as well.

Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, August 12, 2011 5:02 PM

Your track can have dips that effect only one rail - even EZ-Track. Most 4 axle diesels will go over them with no problem but 6 or 8 axle units, steamers and long rolling stock won't. You can find these places by setting a 3 foot level on the track and looking along it. Any place where one rails dips or rises will be visible.

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