My 2-8-0 is pulling to one side; twisting on the track; thus no power, PLEASE HELP!!

[Anonymous]

Maybe you guys can help with your vast amounts of wisdom. I have a bachmann 2-8-0 and I recently replaced the right side rod push rod. Before it was running very well just like its brother 2-8-0. (I call them 'the brothers'... long story) anyway now the loco is pulling to the right or maybe pushing from the left causing the wheels to break full contact with the track and stalls. When I nudge the nose of the loco to to the left (its sraighten postion) it runs great for about 4 feet then it works it's way back over to the right, and stalls. I was wondering if there is something I could do to correct this problem. If infact this is the problem. What to do.

Thanks Mark

[cacole]

It sound like the cylinder rod is pulling all the way out of the cylinder casting and becoming misaligned with the hole into which it goes. Make sure you have the side rods properly installed and that the cylinder casting has not gotten pushed forward. You may have caused some serious damage trying to run it like this.

[Anonymous]

My advice at this point would be to take it to a hobby shop for repair... You might also check to make sure your traction tires are okay. A friend of mine recently had one of his engines lose one and had a problem a lot like yours.

trainluver1

[Anonymous]

Food for thought. Thanks cacole and trainluver1. I never thought of these things; I have a look.

Mark

[Eriediamond]

Another thing to check is the wires from the tender to the loco. The way they are routed past the draw bar can cause this problem too. Mine did the same thing after disassembly for a lube job. Ken

[Fergmiester]

If you have a NMRA track/wheel gauge I would check the spacing on the wheels. Sometimes while manipulating the drivers we can inadvertantly change the wheel spacing on the axle. You may have accidently squeezed one of your drivers together.

If you don't have a gauge you can use a micrometer.

Fergie

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the valuable information. All things I never considered before.

Mark