Ruby (Mimi 2-4-2) derails either direction over LGB 16050 turnout.

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

The derailing occurs prior to the frog on a manual large radius LGB RH turnout.  Running the engine slowly into the switch looks as if the drivers on the leftside slip off the track to the inside, causing the engine to lay on it's leftside.  It also derails running the opposite direction through the switch.  It passes through my Aristo Craft switches with no problems.  The switch is set to straight (right hand turnout closed).  The engine will transverse the switch without problem (forward & backward) when I push it through by hand, even over the frog.  The switch is level and firm with no obstructing gravel etc.  Could the leading pilot assembly need bending to increase downward pressure to the rails?  It would seem all the wheels could be pulled to widen the wheelbase, bringing the flanges closer to the inside rails.  There just seems to be a lot of side to side play.  What type of tool/device would do this?

Thanks,

Stack   

[barclaysierra]

From your description is sounds like your wheelsets are loose or out of guage.  I'd suggest you try checking both that and the gauge on the turnout very carefully first.  LGB turnouts have way too much play between the guard rails and the rail, so they aren't very effective.  This could be why it will run thru the Aristo okay, but not the LGB.

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

Thanks for responding!  That is exactly as it would seem due to the fact she consistently lays over onto her left side going thru the turnout, and yes, there is a lot of play re: wheel gauge.  I think there is also too much play, albeit to a lesser extent, on Aristo also.  Hoping I can find someplace local that has a device to pull the wheels more towards the end of the axels of the drivers, pilot and pony (would that be a gear puller?).  Not much sense in my purchasing such a tool to use once.  In the meantime, I'm going to have to pull the turnout and replace with a straight section to make it work.  No problems passing thru with the electrics.

Stack

[cacole]

I suspect that the Mimi's wheels may be out of gauge.  I have one that never derails on any of my 10 or so Aristo turnouts.  I don't have any LGB track except a 30 degree crossover and it has no problem there.