Mamod (MSS) falls off the track

[PaulWhitt20]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this forum, I usualy visit the Model Railroader forums but yesterday I was showing the kids my MSS live steam engine but it keeps falling of the track. The track is a simple oval of mamod metal track and when the loco gets to the corner it seems to be going to fast and falls off. This usualy tips the solid fuel out and spoils the fun.

Is there any better track to get that will stop the loco falling off when it meets the curve? Or do I need larger flanges on the wheels? Speed control is a bit hit and miss with the standard lever. Also are there any kit to convert to liquid burning rather than the solid fuel tablets as they don't last long.

Thanks for you help.

Paul

[two tone]

Hi Paul   2 things spring to mind,   1  check track I run track power and could not work out why loco derailed it was because track was out of true IE narrow at one point. It looked all right but when I checked with gauge it was there to see  so changed bit of track.  2 check join is it true  run finger though the join do you feel any metal edge IE join not true out of line.  If this fauls cut speed right down and keep uping speed until you get problem if slow speed runs ok   Speed is problem.    Hope this helps

[altterrain]

 Hi Paul,

What gauge is that locomotive, 32 or 45 mm?

Also, what the radius of the curve you are using? Going up in size may fix the problem.

Have you checked for dips in the track? and the side to side level of the track?

-Brian

[ttrigg]

Paul:

First thing I would check is to make sure that the "minimum required diameter" for the engine is less than the curvature of your track. i.e. engine requires 8 ft and you have 4 ft curves?

[cabbage]

 I have a Mamod -I bought it in 1985. The problem relates to the fact that the Mamod has a poor weight distribution. The loco runs better running backwards than forwards... The front direction controller is also actually the speed controller. By setting it at a position 20 degrees from full on was normally the best one for me. I now have a valve type controller from IP Engineering

 There are several Meths  burner and even a Gas burner kits for a Mamod
 

http://www.pps-steam-models.co.uk/index.htm

 and

http://www.dream-steam.com/

 
regards

 
ralph
 

[GearDrivenSteam]

If you cannot slow it down, you could try super elevating the curves.

[Curmudgeon]

My first guess was you were meths fired and the silly thing was just falling-over drunk.

Curvature and speed.

Other have mentioned both.

The tighter the curve, the lower the speed.

I recall the very first shipment of Rubys.

The shop brought them all out to a meet, and they new onwers fired them un and put them on the track.

Only trouble was, when they hit the 3-1/2% downgrade, the got going SO fast, they literally lifted off the rails, the pilot step dug in, and they went arXe over teakettle into the bushes.

You followed the smoke and steam trail, parted the bushes, to find it.

 

Straightened a lot of pilot steps that day, we did.

So, throttle it down, get a proper regulator when you can, make certain the outer portion of the rails does not dip downwards, and you'll be set.

Hopefully.