What's typical vertical clearance for a front cow-catcher in HO

[DigitalGriffin]

I want to make sure I'm not crazy, but does the front cow catcher sit abnormally close to the track on your train set? What's a typical clearence for a mid-range HO steam engine?

I own a George Washginton Train Set and it's actually rubbing several sections of track causing it to derail/stall. I'm hoping that my loco is suffering from an atypical problem. I'm not really sure if this is normal for middle end models as this is my first $$ purchase. There appears to be no other adjustment from the front cow catcher other than lifting the front truck with washers under the font truck screw.

I'm going to ship back my train to Bachmann today. Any idea what the turn around time is on service?

~Thanks
~Don

OT Side Note:
It's too bad I've had so many problems with this engine. I've done a lot of web searches, and book references on the George Washington, and the attention to detail on the enginer and tender is excellent.

If somebody is interested, I'll post photos of this set on my web site.

[nfmisso]

It should be on the order of 1.5mm to 2.5mm (.060" to .100").

It sounds like your track has too abrupt changes in grade (vertical curves are too sharp).

[Anonymous]

Nigel is correct as to what it SHOULD be. However, in my steam collection there is a wide range of actual clearances. I have returned a couple of newly purchased locos because of inadequate clearance, and I have had to sell a couple of used ones for the same reason. So - don't lose heart, this problem is fairly rare and you have been unlucky that one of your first purchases has this problem.

If you place washers between the front truck and the frame, you will also be raising the driving wheels off the track (or at the least, reducing the effective adhesion). The only real solution, unless you indeed have a misfit, is if you can slightly bend the front of the frame upward. Be aware that most plastic locos still have metal frames.

[DigitalGriffin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

It should be on the order of 1.5mm to 2.5mm (.060" to .100").

It sounds like your track has too abrupt changes in grade (vertical curves are too sharp).

My track is perfectly flat. I'm using Life-Life Power-Loc as my break in track while I'm building a layout. The train always sticks a little on the rerailer and turnout. But it also gets stuck on other sections of plain flat track occasionally.

I wonder if I have a downward bent frame?

Oh well, I guess I'll find out in a couple weeks one way or the other.

Any idea what turn around time is?

Thanks for your input, it's appreciated.

~Don

[Anonymous]

I did not run my engines on perfectly flat track however there is a range of clearences that show up when I gauge it with a Kaydee Coupler Gauge. There is a plate that should just clear the trip pin and I eyeball the pilot deck to see if there is room below the cowcatcher.

Most of my engines dig into the track coupler pin first. The underlying track grade problems have since been fixed.

I think you did the right thing sending the unit to Bachmann to be evaluated. If your track is flat as you say there should be no issues related to a "dragging" cowcatcher. I think it could be a period of time but nothing to have a cow over... (Sorry.. Had to put that in) while you wait for the problem to be fixed.

I cannot help but think is there a rail joiner that may be "Pushing" up underneath the neighbor track causing the rail to snag the cow catcher? I dont know much about your track but I have had this happen with ordinary sectional track.