Wait one year before ballasting. That's what I plan to do. On my last layout, I did not thoroughly test, and I spent years regretting it.
If you never plan to operate steam locomotives on your layout, then by all means rely on the 6 axle diesels to find track work flaws. Your 26" radius curves are a bit tight for 6 axle diesels, so they will be best at finding track flaws.
Run your locomotives at top speeds in all four directions, forward, then backward, in one direction. Then, turn the locomotive around in the other direction, forward, then backward. I would do this for several circuits around the layout in each of the four directions.
Then, when all goes well, add a string of your longest cars and do it all over again. Look for not only derailments but also unintended uncouplings. Look for slow downs which will indicate voltage drop for lack of sufficient feeders. Test the divergent routes on all turnouts. Back up through the divergent side of all turnouts. Run locos at the slowest speeds through turnouts.
When you are done with all of that testing, do it all over again. Then, operate and enjoy your layout and forget about ballasting until next year. In the meantime, I guarantee that you will find track flaws.
Rich
Alton Junction
Yes, 6-axle works! I've got two and since they haven't found anything, it's a good thing!
Six axil diesels are also good at finding defects.
Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority and CSX Intermodal. Interchange with CSX (CR)(NYC).
CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield
Many of the long cars such as a 89' flatcar use a TALGO arrangement because they tolerate tight curves more easily than a body mount coupler. Although the TALGO may run OK moving forward with a TALGO arrangement, they may not run OK in a reverse movement.
I have a bunch (26) of the 89' enclosed auto carriers on my N scale layout. The stock TALGO worked fine moving forward but had problems backing up without a derail. The back up action would put a twist on the truck and the wheels would frequently find any track problem and cause a derail. I fixed all the track problems that showed up but backing through a turnout was often a problem even when turnout was OK. I change all to body mount couplers and fixed the problem backing up. Also changed to metal wheels but I am not sure if that had any effect on derailments.
Bottom line - backing up a string of 89" cars with TALGO couplers will quickly highlight track problems.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
kasskaboose Good call on using steam horses, but I don't have any (gasp!). I fear that many steam locos would find 26" curves too tight. Although, I have read some diesels do handle that type of curve.
Good call on using steam horses, but I don't have any (gasp!). I fear that many steam locos would find 26" curves too tight. Although, I have read some diesels do handle that type of curve.
That solution does seem to be only workable for modelers who have steam engines. Many these days do not. For many years I didn't either but finally broke down and bought an Intermountain cab forward, but I'm also going to go with 32" minimum curves so should be good on that account that the recommended minimum is 24" on that steam engine.
Yes, my longest cars are either whale belly tankers or grain cars and seem to handle just fine. I'll test more tomorrow and continue testing until ready.
I "think" 89' flat cars and autoracks are suppose to run on 26" curves if that were ever needed. I've only tested 89' TOFC flat cars on 28" KATO Unitrack and they seemed to operate ok on them, although it looks pretty sharp under them. But to be fair, even 32 inch curves appear sharp under long cars and that is my planned minimum.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Yes, my longest cars are either whale belly tankers or grain cars and seem to handle just fine. I'll test more tomorrow and continue testing until ready. Not going to zoom through the test phase b/c more painful to tear up ballested track and scenery. Pls don't ask how I know
Steam engines are the best test engines. They are much more finicky than diesels because of light leading and trailing trucks and long connected straight wheelbases.
Be sure to test your longest cars, too, to make sure they can handle your curves.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
riogrande5761 I used ME spikes and Atlas track nails to secure my track partly because it makes it so darned easy to take up if I do need to make a change, or for other reasons like water in the basement and need to remove a section or to to work on it. Having that flexibility is no small thing.
I used ME spikes and Atlas track nails to secure my track partly because it makes it so darned easy to take up if I do need to make a change, or for other reasons like water in the basement and need to remove a section or to to work on it. Having that flexibility is no small thing.
I too use ME spikes on Atlas track. It's so much easier to adjust well-before putting down ballast. Spikes not only keep the track flat, but keep it aligned on the cork sub-roadbed (which is what I have).
Much appreciate everyone's help. I don't plan on rushing to start any ballast or scenery until I know the track work is flawless. Ensuring smooth operations takes time, and much easier now than later. Given that I have 6-axle locos operating fine on the layout would indicate that 4-axle ones can handle the curves also, but it makes sense to check that out now and operate the locos in different directions at varying speeds.
For sure test track before scenery, and before ballasting it as well. It's easier to make revisions to it before all those things go in making the track a lot more permanent. It's pretty much a no brainer.
I have built a number of layouts in those 55 years I am in the hobby and I have learned to conduct thorough tests of my trackwork before starting on the scenery. Thorough means testing all my engines and all my cars on every inch of track at various speeds, down to a crawl.
This takes time, but it´s a time well spent!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
I test thusly:
Every loco, backwards and forwards, trailing tonnage and shoving it, at drag speeds and at limited passenger speeds. If I get 'em all to do that, I can start doing anything else I want...as I want. But, them tracks hasta work reliably. Mechanically and electrically.
Thanks to all the help wtt the track work and wiring. What’s a suitable set of tests to perform on the track with consists before starting scenery? I dont want to do scenery until I know the track work is flawless on the mainline; the yard can come later.
So far, the locos moves in both directions without derailments. I also try some cars behind the locos and no issues. Any other tests to perform? I ran the consists in both directions also. These tests i did a few times to ensure no false positive.
Thanks!