BLI Loco

[jmac77]

I have several BLI locos that run great sound good etc BUT I have
a 2-6-6-4 thats doesn't "track" worth a ***! The front truck especially will leave the track at a turnout , tight turn (22") etc The front 6 wheel drivers will also leave the track sometimes for no apparent reason seems to me the back
of the loco is weighted more causing the frot to "ride up" easily. I have "fixed"
every little kink etc in trackwork but still not pleased with performance. (I am having NO problems with my other locos including a Roco 2-8-8-2. Has anybody else had problems with this BLI loco or any suggestions wud be appreciated

Jim

[selector]

It would be a sticky truck or a faulty spring. Try removing the truck spring. If it derails, and the front end IS generally light, it will probably pull the front engine out of the tracks as well.

Have you checked the turnout, especially where it joins the tracks on the three exits, for being level and not kinked in elevation?

Have you guaged both the loco wheels and the points?


When I had the same issue with my Lionel Challenger a while back, it was baffling, to say the least. I ran, reran, and ran again the loco through the places where it seemed to come off. I did it at slower and slower speeds until I made it stop just as the rear engine was beginning to derail. The front truck and engine had successfully negotiated the area, but not the rear engine. How could that be? Well, I reasoned, if the front engine and truck were slowly rising due to a rising track out of this curve, it would eventually lead the rear engine off the rails at the low point as the front was higher. And that was it. I had to shim joins in my snap track where this phenomenon happened. Once the track looked planar under a straightedge, the loco gave me a nod of approval, and away it went.

So, you will have to puzzle this out. Start with the spring, but I am loath to second guess the designers. More than likely your BLI doesn't like its cirsumstances on the tracks.

[jmac77]

Thanks, I will keep working on it and use your suggestions

Jim