Hi there,
I have a bunch of Atlas remote turnouts that I am/was planning to use on my n gauge layout, but I noticed that the stock rail (if I have my terminology correct) is slightly curved. I set up a quick test track with the turnout in between two sections of straight track and ran 2 engines through it. My Atlas GP38-2 went through fine, although you could see it wobbled a little going through the turnout, but my life Life Like 6 axle E8 derailed and seemed to jam between the stock rail and the frog. I have checked six of my switches and they are all the same.
Can anyone tell me if they have seen this with the atlas turnouts before? Is it normal? Is my Life Like E8 potentially the problem?
Any suggestions would be great as I am getting close to installing turnouts on my new layout.
If you have a N scale NMRA standards guage, check to see if the turnouts are in guage. If you don't have a standards guage yous hould probably get one.
That said, if all the turnouts look the same and only one locomotive is having issues going through the turnouts, the locomotive needs to be checked against the standards guage.
Good luck!
Sam Steele,
To The Forums.
Do what Roger suggested and pick up a NMRA Clearance Standards gauge and check the clearance and gauge of turnout, points, guard rails at frog and gauge of wheels on Loco. Then we'll go from there. Need to find that out first. Click on link, for info:
http://www.micromark.com/nmra-gage-n-scale,7531.html
Take Care!
Frank
Check turnout and loco wheels both. Make sure you're running a No.6 or better yet No. 8 or larger turnout for those longer locos. Sometimes I use a No4 turnout, but for longer equipment, they're not preferred.
Richard
I think that you need to take a look at a turnout diagram to determine which rail you are referring to.
For one thing, the inner stock rail is curved on a LH turnout (the outer stock rail on a RH turnout).
For another thing, neither the outer (straight) stock rail nor the inner(curved) stock is near ther frog, so loco wheels cannot jam between the stock rail and frog. Do you mean that the wheels jam between the stock rail and the guard rail?
Are the wheels jamming between one of the frog rails and the frog?
We need some clarity.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain For one thing, the inner stock rail is curved. Rich
For one thing, the inner stock rail is curved.
There is no inner stock rail. The rails that come together at the frog are closure rails.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
There are two stock rails on a turnout, one straight and one curved. I refer to them as inner and outer for sake of clarity.
The closure rails and the frog rails converge on the frog.
My point to the OP is that the stock rails are not near enough to the frog for the loco wheels to jam.
So, the question remains, which rails on the turnout are causing the problem?
Hi.
Thanks for all your input. I got myself an NMRA gauge and did some checking, and it seems that the wheels on that one loco are too close together, so I guess that is most likely where my problem is. But I still think that the straight stock rail on my no.6 turnouts is a little bow-shaped. Although I should mention that my wife thinks I'm seeing things, so perhaps it is some kind of optical illusion created by the diverging tracks!
I'll see if I can take a decent picture of a turnout and post it.
I believe what He's trying to explain...is that the engines wheels are out of gauge and jamming/or riding on the guard rails at the frog. Could just be one axle, in or out.
zstripe I believe what He's trying to explain...is that the engines wheels are out of gauge and jamming/or riding on the guard rails at the frog. Could just be one axle, in or out. Take Care! Frank
That is what it sounds like to me..A common derailment cause by out of gauge wheels or track.
But,this is N Scale so,looked toward a out of gauge Atlas switch-won't be the first or last..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I think that is exactly what is going on. The wheels are too close together on every axle of my loco!
Thanks.
Paul.
Paul,
There is a slight bow/radius on the diverging side on both rails of a Atlas #6 turnout. The point rail that touches the stock diverging rail, should also have a slight bow to it. Without the bow, the wheelsets will want to lurch into the diverging route, causing it to derail, especially with incorrect wheel gauge. With your new gauge check that area at the points and point rails to make sure that they are in gauge. You can bend the point rails with a flat blade screw driver held against the rail while holding the points firmly against the stock rail with your other hand. I use a small c-clamp when I have to.
zstripe Paul, There is a slight bow/radius on the diverging side on both rails of a Atlas #6 turnout. The point rail that touches the stock diverging rail, should also have a slight bow to it. Without the bow, the wheelsets will want to lurch into the diverging route, causing it to derail, especially with incorrect wheel gauge. With your new gauge check that area at the points and point rails to make sure that they are in gauge. You can bend the point rails with a flat blade screw driver held against the rail while holding the points firmly against the stock rail with your other hand. I use a small c-clamp when I have to. Take Care! Frank
Sam Steele Now I just have to figure out how to fix my loco. I'm wondering if my friend knew it had troubles when he gave it to me!
Now I just have to figure out how to fix my loco. I'm wondering if my friend knew it had troubles when he gave it to me!