How to avoid derailments when using different car lengths? Do you group rail cars based on length or do they operate flawlessly regardless of location in a consist? I don't care how mine align in a consist (except for certain rules with tank cars), but want to continue avoiding the embarrasing derailment when I mix long-short rail cars as I get more of them.
Some might see this topic similar to linging up kids: certain ones get into trouble when moving together!
There are rules for the placement of cars. One of the most important is the placement of long cars (80 feet or longer and short cars 45 feet or less). They must not be placed next to each otehr due to stringlining when the long car pulls the short car off the rails. Attached is the link to the BNSF System Special Instructions that include the car placement ruls
http://fobnr.org/timetables/bnsf/phase4/SI/SI-15-102807.pdf
My rules are pretty simple. I limit myself to what works. My space dictates 18-inch curves, so I run mostly 4-axle diesels and short cars. Transition Era is gentle on my that way. I limit my trains to 10 or 12 cars. I have no severe grades on my layout.
I am also very fussy about trackwork, and I'll put in a lot of effort to identify and fix problems so that I can ignore stuff like "xx car must be run with the A end forward." I have replaced all my plastic wheels with metal, and taken flaky old trucks out of service. This gives me more free-rolling cars with fewer issues. Metal wheelsets lower the center of gravity, also, leading to better performance. Couplers must pass the gauge test, and Kadees are the standard.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hello all,
On my pike the minimum radius curves are 15-inches with #2 turnouts.
The majority are 18-inch curves with Atlas Snap Switches; #4-1/2's.
The motive power are 4-axle GP's, RS's, F's and switchers.
Most of the rolling stock is 34- to 40-footers.
The exceptions are:
All have Kadee couplers body mounted at the correct height.
These cars don't pass through the #2 turnouts, by layout design.
But they will negotiate the 15-inch curves and the Snap Switches- -SLOWLY!!!
These longer flat cars are used in special trains and not part of a manifest consist.
I don't put them in any particular order due to their length or possibility of derailment, they play well with others.
The only problem I encountered was with the four-truck depressed center flatcar.
Because I use between the track Kadee uncoupling magnets, the steel weight in the depressed center section was so close that the the magnets would "Grab" the car.
I replaced the steel weight with lead and it now runs freely over the magnets.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
In a typical layout situation, just about any car should theoretically stay on the track regardless of what it's coupled to. Proper tuning of trucks, couplers, and wheelsets is key. Some models have body bolsters and trucks that interfere with truck motion unless you work on the interface between the two. In a few cases I've had to swap trucks and/or re-work the car to ensure reliable performance.
Rob Spangler
While you may want to observe rules for car placement, in practice in HO standard gauge and larger things tend to work OK.
Where I've run into trouble is with narrowgauge. When running empty with some flat cars and most logging cars in HOn3, there is just not enough space to add all the weight needed.
These just track best behind cars weighted heavier. The effect is worst on downgrade curves. Smooth train handling, good maintenance and restricted speeds all help, while the springy 714 couplers lead to some bouncing of the consist that makes things worse.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Almost all derailments on the SIW Are caused by human error not car placement.
Joe Staten Island West
joe323 Almost all derailments on the SIW Are caused by human error not car placement.
That holds true for the prototype as well.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
I would think weight - mixing light and heavy cars - could be as big a problem as car length. Cars that are too light will "stringline" (derail on curves when in a long train) easier than properly weighted cars. I understand real railroads have rules against putting say empty flat cars at the head of a long, heavy freight train for similar reasons.
wjstixI understand real railroads have rules against putting say empty flat cars at the head of a long, heavy freight train for similar reasons.
As any railfan can tell you that's not always the case.Personally I've seen far more empty centerbeams and bulkhead flats behind the engines then 60-62' flat cars but,I've seen some 62 footers behind the engines..
Just so long as the length is not too long for your curves, it "should" (theoretically speaking) not be any issue, so long as there is not any other issues that would cause a derailment, such as bad trucks/wheelsets, coupler issues, weight issues, etc...
However, on our tight curves, a 89' autorack really does not play well with anything extremely shorter (or with short couplers), as there is not enough swing.
But, a 62' center beam, "should" work well with a 40' hopper car, etc....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I built my layout with a minimum of 26" curves. I have no problems with derailments with those. When I did, it was after I installed diaphragms on my passenger cars. I installed longer couplers and that eliminated that problem. The key was to turn them over, then carefully adjust the draft gear so that the diaphragms were barely touching. It was time consuming but well worth it.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR