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What Makes for "Bulletproof" Trackwork?

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 118 posts
Posted by Texas Zephyr on Saturday, March 6, 2021 10:42 AM

mobilman44
If you can run your trains over the entire layout in both directions at varying speeds, and not have a derail or unwanted stoppage or unwanted uncoupling..........then I would say you have "bullet proof" trackwork.

That might be true, but It is not fair to the track work.  Just because one cannot do that does not mean they don't have the proverbial bullet proof track.   Many other things can cause the aliments you are using as a measure.   Wheels out of gauge, wheels not rolling freely, wheel flanges too deep, coupler springs, coupler height, truck pivoting, truck tilting, and the like.  All of those can cause derailments and unwanted uncoupling and have notthing to do with the track.

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, March 6, 2021 10:56 AM

Texas Zephyr
 
mobilman44
If you can run your trains over the entire layout in both directions at varying speeds, and not have a derail or unwanted stoppage or unwanted uncoupling..........then I would say you have "bullet proof" trackwork. 

That might be true, but It is not fair to the track work.  

Sure it is. It is a testament to bullet proof track work. mobilman44's point is well taken.

Your point makes an entirely different argument. If you cannot run your trains over the entire layout in both directions at varying speeds without a derailment or unwanted stoppage or uncoupling, then you need to look further to determine the problem. It could be a flaw in the track work, wheels out of gauge, wheels not rolling freely, wheel flanges too deep, coupler springs, coupler height, truck pivoting, truck tilting, and the like.  

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Saturday, March 6, 2021 11:13 AM

richhotrain

 

 
Texas Zephyr
 
mobilman44
If you can run your trains over the entire layout in both directions at varying speeds, and not have a derail or unwanted stoppage or unwanted uncoupling..........then I would say you have "bullet proof" trackwork. 

That might be true, but It is not fair to the track work.  

 

 

Sure it is. It is a testament to bullet proof track work. mobilman44's point is well taken.

 

Your point makes an entirely different argument. If you cannot run your trains over the entire layout in both directions at varying speeds without a derailment or unwanted stoppage or uncoupling, then you need to look further to determine the problem. It could be a flaw in the track work, wheels out of gauge, wheels not rolling freely, wheel flanges too deep, coupler springs, coupler height, truck pivoting, truck tilting, and the like.  

Rich

 

And that is why I made some reference to track related standards because the best trackwork in the world will not work with sub standard equipment or equipment outside the design standards of the track work.

Back to the basement, making preparations for the first sections of benchwork.

Sheldon

    

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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Monday, March 8, 2021 12:37 PM

Have desided there is no such thing. Sometimes just the makeup of what you are hauling derails and NMRA weights are no garrentee. Best we can do is get as close as possible by eliminating all the extra causes and tweeking it to your stuff. Had one stretch on a curve that was a probledm, fixed it bet had to make the track not level on the width ever so slightly.

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