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Warped trucks.

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 993 posts
Warped trucks.
Posted by hobo9941 on Friday, June 19, 2015 11:00 PM

I cannot find a search function on this forum, but I recall a thread about this a while back. I have an Athearn Genesis SD70 that derails at the same place on the layout where other locos have no problem. I set it on a piece of glass as I recall the thread advised, and the trucks appear to be slightly warped. I can slide a piece of paper under the rear wheel on one side of both trucks, and the wheel appears to be lifted slightly about 1 mm or so. I cannot find the thread, and does anyone remember the fix for this problem. I have a problem with buying things and putting them away, and not using them right away, so I'm not sure if a warranty would still be in effect. Thanks for whatever help you guys can supply.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Friday, June 19, 2015 11:32 PM

Hobo9941:

There is a search function on the right side of this page. Scroll down a bit and you will see it.

However, don't expect too much from the search engine. To be honest, it is pretty much a waste of time. If you do manage to get a direct hit then consider yourself lucky. Sorry Kalmbach, but the truth is the truth.

Many people have suggested that googling your subject will produce much better results, and will even do a better job of finding links within the forums.

Here is one discussion on the topic found through Google:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/190315.aspx

I didn't read through the whole thing but hopefully there may be some information of use to you in the thread.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by hobo9941 on Friday, June 19, 2015 11:59 PM

Thanks for that link. I believe that is the thread I was looking for.

Rich

  • Member since
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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Saturday, June 20, 2015 12:26 AM

You are most welcome! Glad I could help. As others have said on the forums, "Google is your friend!".

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Saturday, June 20, 2015 5:39 AM

Hobo9941,

Is it possible for You to remove the trucks without to much hassle and test them separately? It may be that the chassis is warped and where the trucks are connected to the bolster on the frame are not level causing one end of the trucks to sit higher at one end. Need to know what the trucks/chassis are made of, before any advice can be given. You may be able to file it level, without bending. The same for the trucks.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, June 20, 2015 6:20 AM

There is not always a fix for warped trucks.  Sometimes, you can twist them into shape, but other times they simply need to be replaced.

I recently discovered a warped truck on an Athearn Genesis F7 loco.  For years, I tried to figure out a derailing problem with this loco.  Then, by chance, I found out that the truck was warped, such that one wheel was not even resting on the rail.  I ordered a new truck from Athearn when I could not straighten out the truck.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, June 20, 2015 4:04 PM

zstripe
It may be that the chassis is warped and where the trucks are connected to the bolster on the frame are not level causing one end of the trucks to sit higher at one end.

A fellow clubmember had a bunch of these same locos that did the same thing.  Definitely not a warped chassis/frame issue.  Definitely a warped truck issue.  The front and rear axles would pivot about the center axle.  No fix other than replacing the truck.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, June 20, 2015 4:30 PM

Maxman, 

Hopefully, they don't cost an arm & leg, if out of warranty.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, June 20, 2015 5:57 PM

LION has a power truck that seems to wrecked that way. And power trucks are ard to come by for Lifelike Proto 1000 subway cars. What is a LION to do.

 

But I think I saw a bit of fuzz or something inside the truck. Maybe it ran over a thread or something on the tracks and wrapped it around the wheelset.

LION has not figgred out who to open the truck to examine it, much less repair it. But on latest subway cars of him, the Walthers motor is just no darn good. I have just bought a NWSL replacement motor, and if it works as I hope it might, I'll spring for replacing all of my traction motors.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by maxman on Saturday, June 20, 2015 6:33 PM

zstripe

Maxman, 

Hopefully, they don't cost an arm & leg, if out of warranty.

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

 

I don't think he was ever able to get them fixed.  I believe that they were sold off to someone else, who probably should have know better than to buy them.

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