Most of my switching layout does not have straight track. Gentle curves and turnouts. What can I do to re rail cars other than picking them up?
73
Bruce in the Peg
Bruce,
There are curved reilers available but only in 18" radius, I believe.
Are you looking for something to assist putting cars on the track or to keep cars from derailing? If the former, look at the Rix Products Rail-it #628-2. It is a plastic ramp about a foot long that you place on the rails. You then put a car on the upper part of the ramp and it rolls down and onto the track. $3.95 US thru Walthers.
If you are having issues with cars derailing I recommend installing guard rails in the problem areas. I did this on one of my curves where two cars would just not stay on the rails. I installed one guard rail next to the inside rail of the curve and have had no problems since.
Bruce, I think your choices are limited to two: design and build a curved rerailer (more about that in a second...) or continue to hoist them with the 1-4-0, as I do on my curves.
I think a curved rerailer would work, provided the curve was something near or above 28" because with smaller curves and somewhat longer rolling stock, lateral coupler forces might induce the trucks to want to keep derailed. I believe the physics for tangent track truck rerailers should continue to be applicable to trucks that pivot freely and are on what we would call broad curves. It is the longer trucks on tighter curves, in combination, and couplers wanting to force the ends of the cars meeting the rerailer outward that would possibly throw a wrench into many attempts to rerail.
I'm sure some other more knowledgeable modellers will think of other problems to overcome.
selector or continue to hoist them with the 1-4-0, as I do on my curves.
or continue to hoist them with the 1-4-0, as I do on my curves.
Has that replaced the old "0-5-0 switcher" as a standard?
Change just keeps coming so quick! All I can say is "D'oh!"
LensCapOn selector or continue to hoist them with the 1-4-0, as I do on my curves. Has that replaced the old "0-5-0 switcher" as a standard?
Blind Bruce Most of my switching layout does not have straight track. Gentle curves and turnouts. What can I do to re rail cars other than picking them up?
The best solution is to fix the cause of these derailments..Zero derailments is easily attainable and you should accept nothing less.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
First of all I do not have a problem with derailments. I do have problems putting cars and locos on the track. When I uncouple cars (either 1-4-0 or 0-5-0) they always seem to be off the track.
Blind Bruce First of all I do not have a problem with derailments. I do have problems putting cars and locos on the track. When I uncouple cars (either 1-4-0 or 0-5-0) they always seem to be off the track.
Ah..I see..Sorry I missed the point. Then may I suggest using a KD uncoupling magnet or their uncoupling pick? These work quite well..
http://kadee.com/htmbord/page241.htm
How are you currently uncoupling cars? Are you using the skewer method or simply lifting them by hand? You might consider a tool marketed by Rix. Its less tan $5.00, widely available and my be the answer to your problem. Here's the link http://www.rixproducts.com/6280014.htm
BRAKIEThe best solution is to fix the cause of these derailments..Zero derailments is easily attainable and you should accept nothing less.
Rerailers are like guns - better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
carl425 BRAKIE The best solution is to fix the cause of these derailments..Zero derailments is easily attainable and you should accept nothing less. Rerailers are like guns - better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it.
BRAKIE The best solution is to fix the cause of these derailments..Zero derailments is easily attainable and you should accept nothing less.
Well,I have several guns but,no rerailers..As you may already know I won't accept anything less then 100% derailment free operation.
Behind every derailment there is a cause be it incorrect wheel gauge,low coupler trip pin,a track issue,truck screw to tight or (ahem!) human error.
All issues can be fixed.
BRAKIEBehind every derailment there is a cause be it incorrect wheel gauge,low coupler trip pin,a track issue,truck screw to tight or (ahem!) human error. All issues can be fixed.
Agreed. But a derailment would be such a pain in my staging yards that I still install rerailers before the yard ladders. I will also install them on both sides of my swinging gate. I have never wrecked a car, but I still wear a seatbelt.