Disapointed with Model Railroader Special Edition O gauge layout.

[Anonymous]

Thanx guys. But what is a beep ? And where can I find a Alco?



Thanx.,

Colin.

[ben10ben]

As mentioned earlier, a good old postwar engine with Magnetraction will probably be your best bet.

The early series ALCos and 622 switchers, both with cast frames, weigh plenty and have good, strong Magnetraction to hold onto the track well into curves. Both have exceptionally well made motors that keep right on going with only a little bit of maintenance(easy to do).

I also understand that Beeps run more slowly, which will be well suited to such a layout.

Your Atlantic has a gear ratio of 3.2:1. This means that for the wheels to make 1 revolution, the motor must turn 3.2 times. Most postwar worm geared engines will have something more along the lines of 6:1(just guessing, I've never seen that officially recorded, and haven't taken the time to experiment for myself), which will increase your available pulling power and lower the high end speed.

[jimhaleyscomet]

A beep is great if you make sure to get the one with enlarged coupler opening (I opened the opening a tad myself with a hobby knife and another one with a dremmel tool).

As far as track derailing....I have found that if I snug up the tubular track around the track pins (especially on the inside of the rail) I can usually reduce or eliminate derailing.

Jim H

[Anonymous]

? for snell 50, Is this the same layout featured in CTT Jan. 04 issue ? It is a Coal Terminal & Trestle RR. I was going to build it .



















? for snell 50. Is this the same layout featured in Jan. 04 CTT issue,It is titled as Coal Terminal & Trestle RR ? I was going to build it.
THANKS
ROZY

[Anonymous]

Maybe go for a beep, you can run that WOT and no worry about derailing

[pbjwilson]

Colin,
The 4-4-2's can be kinda tippy on sharp turns. See if you can find a set of Alcos like Roy posted in The Sunday Photo topic. Those really stick good on sharp turns and look good going around them.
Another thing you might try is putting a O-42 curved section at the start of a curve. I'm not really sure what your layout is or how much room you have but the O-42 curves can ease your train into the curve.
I really like my 4-4-2 that I've had for 10 years now. You do have to ride the throttle though to keep it from taking a tumble in the curves. They also get alot smoother in operating them a long time. Mine was a jackrabbit when new, Now that its 'aged' it has settled down quite a bit.
The other thing is learn from this layout and make your next one better! I always thought that the layout I was working on would be my last and best. Many layouts later I think of them more as a transition into something better and a learning experiance for the next and better layout. And above all have fun! That's what a hobby is for.

[Anonymous]

I have just finished the wiring of the same layout. This was motivated by the Lionel, Southern GP-38 freight set Santa brought me last year. My problem is that the engine derails, if it is run with the short end forward. It is ok running forward or in reverse with the long end fwd.

This year Santa brought the UP 4-6-4 which uncoupled, just for fun, usually going up the incline. I think I fixed that by running a different car behind the engine

Both were flawless on fast-track around the Christmas tree.

My 50 year old Scout is fine on both tracks.

I suspect that the trucks on the GP-38 are binding somewhere, Is this a common problem with some engines?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

[Anonymous]

Can You try another layout? It's always fun to build and experiment. Try something else to dump the disappointment and encourage yourself. You'll find a good way. That's the fun of this hobby.
Go Pats!!

[Anonymous]

So what should I do? buy another loco?


Thanx,Colin.

[Anonymous]

Like I said, youre loco is a jackrabbit

[Anonymous]

I don't have enuogh room for more track.

my loco is a 4-4-2

[Anonymous]

Snell, It is that youre loco is a jackrabbit, it doesnt run slow at all. I have 3 of them myself.

[ChiefEagles]

A lot of coal trains in the mountains did not fly anyway. This is especially true if they were pulling a long consist of full hopper cars. If you have some room, put a few half straights or straights in the curves. This will help ease the sharpness.

[Anonymous]

I just built a layout that was in the January 2005 version of Model Railroader..

It is called the Coal Terminal & Trestle Railway. (In the book)

It stinks!!The max speed I can run my trains are at like 30 power! If I run them at a normal speed, they will crash! I bought 50 027 tracks for it and 2 boxes of trestles. I am so dissapionted! What should I do?

(G0 back to fastrack[?0

, Thanx guys,
Colin