My Bachmann 2-10-0 has a lot of difficulty with the leading pair of wheels jumping the rails when going thru turn outs that other locos do not have any trouble with. I am wondering if it would be possible and a good idea to try to somehow add a little bit of weight to them to help them track better? Anyone have any experience with this or any suggestions?
Thanks
You could just arbitrarily add weight to the 'pilot truck'. But i think i would operate the model slowly over a suspect switch and visually try to discern what is happening.
It may be the wheelset is the culprit. Maybe wheel diameter is too small to make it across the gap in the rails at the frog. Or maybe the wheel flanges are too small. Possibly the centering mechanism is too tight not allowing the truck to swing properly.
Adding weight usually fixes tracking and electrical pick-up problems. But its a 'general fix'. Find the problem first, just adding weight might not help.
Good luck!
PMR
Yes, that is often the way people fix this, although fix is a loose term for getting the truck to stay railed. The actual cure might be to take a close and critical look at the turnout to ensure it has no low or high rails, including due to being poorly supported below it, and it all checks out (and probably so because no other locos have that problem), then remove the offending truck and repeat that same close inspection, with direct light and magnifier. Look for flashing, poor molding/casting, mis-seated axle, warped axle, warped truck, flashing on the mounting point for the locomotive, flashing near/under/behind the pilot, a coupler box that isn't installed correctly, even it it's a dummy. It could be just a weight problem, but maybe that particular item, on your particular steamer, doesn't do well buttoned down tightly. Try backing out the screw a full turn and see if that helps.
If you can stick some small lead shot, maybe flattened and painted to ensure it doesn't create another problem for you, onto the frame, see if that helps.
selector It could be just a weight problem, but maybe that particular item, on your particular steamer, doesn't do well buttoned down tightly. Try backing out the screw a full turn and see if that helps.
It could be just a weight problem, but maybe that particular item, on your particular steamer, doesn't do well buttoned down tightly. Try backing out the screw a full turn and see if that helps.
I was going to suggest that as well. I had the same problem on a Bachmann 2-8-4, and backing out the screw a little bit along with the addition of a thin washer between the pilot truck and the frame fixed it. Another possibility is that the truck frame may be bent. I'd put the engine on a perfectly flat surface like a tile or piece of glass, make sure the wheels are facing straight ahead, and see if you can get something like a piece of paper under the pilot wheel from one side or another. If you can, the truck frame is probably bent.
wdcrvr My Bachmann 2-10-0 has a lot of difficulty with the leading pair of wheels jumping the rails when going thru turn outs that other locos do not have any trouble with. I am wondering if it would be possible and a good idea to try to somehow add a little bit of weight to them to help them track better? Anyone have any experience with this or any suggestions? Thanks
The Bachmann 2-10-0 has a flat metal spring that puts down pressure on the pilot truck. The first thing is to check the proper position of that spring and check to see that the truck is moving side to side and up and down without binding.
Sometimes less force is actually the answer.
All my Bachmann 2-8-0's work fine with the similar spring removed from their pilot trucks.......
Adding weight to the truck may be the answer, but I would check it out carefully first to find the real problem.
Questions:
What size and brand of turnouts?
Does it derail just going thru the diverging route or straight as well?
Are there curves leading into the turnout? What radius?
Sheldon
I really appreciate all the great replies I have already received. I will start looking at these options and will be watching for any additional replies. Thanks
wdcrvr
Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen anyone mention checking the gauge on the wheels.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
I have a different Bachmann engine that had a problem with the front end being lifted up a bit. Turned out the problem was with the drawbar connecting the engine and tender. Loosening the screw connecting the drawbar to the engine so it could sit a little lower appears to have solved the problem.
I think that the size of the turnout is a very relevant question. I would not want to try that loco on a size 4! Also make sure that the turnout is level.
Simon