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IS THIS NORMAL

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:46 AM
I don't have any experience with the Bachmann turnouts you mention but I have had this problem with Atlas. What type of locomotives are you running -- Diesel, steam, or both? On Atlas turnouts the problem was caused by the wheels dropping down into the frog because Atlas leaves too much of a gap within the frog. This was most noticeable on short wheelbase steam locos -- 0-4-0, 0-6-0, etc., not ones longer than a Consolidation. The only solution I found was to use Peco or a similar, higher quality turnout.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:46 AM
I don't have any experience with the Bachmann turnouts you mention but I have had this problem with Atlas. What type of locomotives are you running -- Diesel, steam, or both? On Atlas turnouts the problem was caused by the wheels dropping down into the frog because Atlas leaves too much of a gap within the frog. This was most noticeable on short wheelbase steam locos -- 0-4-0, 0-6-0, etc., not ones longer than a Consolidation. The only solution I found was to use Peco or a similar, higher quality turnout.
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: El Dorado Springs, MO
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by n2mopac on Monday, September 1, 2003 1:15 AM
I often find with commercial turnouts that I have to file the top of the points to make them flush with the rail. I have see this problem be so bad as to cause consistent derailments until filed. If you have some needle files, this problem is easy to fix. Be careful, however, to file the rails smoothly across the top. If you get an angle on your file and cut a groove in the top of the railhead you will have a more serious problem.
Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: El Dorado Springs, MO
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by n2mopac on Monday, September 1, 2003 1:15 AM
I often find with commercial turnouts that I have to file the top of the points to make them flush with the rail. I have see this problem be so bad as to cause consistent derailments until filed. If you have some needle files, this problem is easy to fix. Be careful, however, to file the rails smoothly across the top. If you get an angle on your file and cut a groove in the top of the railhead you will have a more serious problem.
Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Nashville TN
  • 1,306 posts
Posted by Wdlgln005 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 9:52 PM
You also may want to check the turnout to be sure it is clean and the wheels don't catch on some little burr. Run your finger along the top of the rail to be sure everything is smooth & the turnout operates properly. Then run the train back & forth in both directions and see if it has some pattern.
Glenn Woodle
  • Member since
    April 2002
  • From: Nashville TN
  • 1,306 posts
Posted by Wdlgln005 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 9:52 PM
You also may want to check the turnout to be sure it is clean and the wheels don't catch on some little burr. Run your finger along the top of the rail to be sure everything is smooth & the turnout operates properly. Then run the train back & forth in both directions and see if it has some pattern.
Glenn Woodle
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 725 posts
Posted by Puckdropper on Sunday, August 31, 2003 12:22 PM
A NMRA standards gauge comes with instructions for testing the wheel sets and turn outs... It's worth the investment.

If the turnout pad is the same height as regular cork roadbed, you could just substitute that and put a good turn out on there. Only possible problem is you may be relying on rail joiners only to get power to the rails.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 725 posts
Posted by Puckdropper on Sunday, August 31, 2003 12:22 PM
A NMRA standards gauge comes with instructions for testing the wheel sets and turn outs... It's worth the investment.

If the turnout pad is the same height as regular cork roadbed, you could just substitute that and put a good turn out on there. Only possible problem is you may be relying on rail joiners only to get power to the rails.
  • Member since
    November 2001
  • From: US
  • 10 posts
Posted by wrobwrob on Sunday, August 31, 2003 11:27 AM
It is possible the turnout is OK and that the problem is with your equipment. This may be the case if some models always wobble and others are OK.

The problem may be the gauge of one or more wheelsets. If the wheels are too close they will appear to jump slightly when passing through the frog area. Check and adjust the wheels, if necessary. This may solve your problem.
  • Member since
    November 2001
  • From: US
  • 10 posts
Posted by wrobwrob on Sunday, August 31, 2003 11:27 AM
It is possible the turnout is OK and that the problem is with your equipment. This may be the case if some models always wobble and others are OK.

The problem may be the gauge of one or more wheelsets. If the wheels are too close they will appear to jump slightly when passing through the frog area. Check and adjust the wheels, if necessary. This may solve your problem.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,745 posts
IS THIS NORMAL
Posted by JeremyB on Sunday, August 31, 2003 6:34 AM
Hi Everybody

I use the Bachmann E-Z Track and I noticed that locomotives sometimes wobble when going over the frog Is this normal?also If i have to replace the turnout how would I do this as the track is spiked in place ?

Thanks

jeremy
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Canada
  • 1,745 posts
IS THIS NORMAL
Posted by JeremyB on Sunday, August 31, 2003 6:34 AM
Hi Everybody

I use the Bachmann E-Z Track and I noticed that locomotives sometimes wobble when going over the frog Is this normal?also If i have to replace the turnout how would I do this as the track is spiked in place ?

Thanks

jeremy

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