Big hammer, Chain saw, duct tape, wire coat hangers, and a 250 amp welder will fix just about anything. (Does replacing the destroyed parts count as fixing?)
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I do keep several sizes of hammer to match the job, it isn't just random
My other favorite is the Sawsall.
Springfield PA
hamlton:
Congratulations on your rather unique problem solving. If it had been me, I would have immediately blamed the locomotive, packed it up, sent it back to the Mfgr and said "IT'S BROKE! FIX IT!"
Well, not really, LOL!
But it's funny how those little Track Gremlins suddenly decide to appear, isn't it? I had that happen in my engine terminal this spring. The track has been there for eight years and suddenly I seemed to have a 'hump' yard, the latter part of last month. Right now, I'm in the process of re-laying half of the track and realizing that the language some of my high school students use really has a PURPOSE!
Shoulda thought about that hammer of yours, LOL!
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
I can honestly say that I don't even have a BFH in my model trains tool box. I have had similar situation with turnouts like that before and those tow little guys one on each shoulder keep showing up. Hit it with a really big hammer, no take it up and fix it right. BIG HAMMER-NO FIX IT RIGHT! I have come to realize if it's something from the Rube Goldberg School of engineering it's usually not a good idea to be sued on a model railroad
The track in question was ballasted but I think that the entire section was built since I last ran any steam. Either way I see it as a bent piece of metal that needed straightening. I consider it straightened for now anyhow. I love this hobby.
selector Nothing moves....ever.
That 20 pounder will get it to move!
It wouldn't have been my first resort unless I were thoroughly cheesed off and had run out of ha-ha.
I have either lifted the affected areas and shimmed when I have detected a dip in one rail (usually a new engine does that for me), or I lift the rail slightly and run a small file up and down and sideways for about 10 swipes before I restore the ties down to ground level.
However, I ballast my tracks, and I find they don't move....period. They are ballasted after being held in place by a thin layer of latex caulk atop their spline roadbed. Nothing moves....ever.
-Crandell
Yeah and flying ballast. My "repair" isn't even noticeable. I learned to fix things that way in the Navy.
Rich.
SRY didn't think the sledge would allow constant running. I think it works better on the point to point layouts. Instead of plug and play we can say swing and swear. Just be mindful of whats over your head when you swing! Watch out for ricochets too.
locoi1sa If that don't work get a bigger hammer! I was swinging my 20lb sledge on the crusher last week. I must be getting old. I could only get 5 or 6 hard whacks and had to rest a minute before swinging again. I am thinking 1 good one on your layout would take care of all its problems. Just remember one thing. If force wont do it, heat will. Everything yields to heat. Pete
If that don't work get a bigger hammer! I was swinging my 20lb sledge on the crusher last week. I must be getting old. I could only get 5 or 6 hard whacks and had to rest a minute before swinging again. I am thinking 1 good one on your layout would take care of all its problems. Just remember one thing. If force wont do it, heat will. Everything yields to heat.
Pete,
Several weeks ago, when you told me to "fix the hump", you didn't mention the 20 lb. sledge. That would have cut my repair time from 8 hours to 8 seconds.
Rich
Alton Junction
So far so good. If there are any problems later I'll replace it but whatever was causing it is now crushed or dust.
Hamltnblue This last weekend I started running my M1a after an extended period on the shelf. The loco would derail at the same spot every time around. After filing, etc with no luck I used the zoom of the camera and could see that the outside rail had a small hump that the loco was finding. Not wanting to rip the track up at the spot I figured what do I have to lose. I pulled out a 2 pound hammer and 4 good whaps the problem is gone . I ran for over an hour without any further problems. If needed I could make a how to video but don't think it's necessary.
This last weekend I started running my M1a after an extended period on the shelf. The loco would derail at the same spot every time around. After filing, etc with no luck I used the zoom of the camera and could see that the outside rail had a small hump that the loco was finding. Not wanting to rip the track up at the spot I figured what do I have to lose. I pulled out a 2 pound hammer and 4 good whaps the problem is gone . I ran for over an hour without any further problems.
If needed I could make a how to video but don't think it's necessary.
Oh my!
I had a few humps that I finally took the time to fix by leveling the rails but never with a 2 pound hammer.
Seems to me that would damage the rail but not permanently fix the hump.
That hump is caused by something under the rail, not the rail itself.