Bachman Spectrum Question

[Anonymous]

Good evenin' y'all!
I recently acquired a Bachman Spectrum 2-6-2 Prairie. I'm having a derailing problem due to the front 2 wheels. My track is code 83 and is laid down pretty good. I'm no "pro" but the rest of the engine fleet runs fine over my trackwork without problems(a Rivarossi Hudson, Walthers SW1, Bowser 2-8-2, and an 0-4-0.)It seems that the Prairie will derail at the SLIGHTEST hint of track "uncontinuity" or if a single granule of ballast gets in the way, and only at the front wheels! I've tried loosening and tightening the metal plate that holds the front wheels on and it still has the same problem. Have any of you owned or own this particular engine and did you have the same type of problem? If so...how the heck do you fix it?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Matt.
(ALso the New York Central thanks you as their crews are getting weary re-railing the same locomotive every day!!!)

[Anonymous]

Did you check to make sure the wheels were in gauge? Also check that the truck is free to swing back and forth. If is derailing on turnouts or curves, check to see if the wheels are hitting any thing; coupler box, cylinder heads, or frame. If none of these are it then see if the front truck has a spring of some sort (coil spring of flat brass bent to apply pressure the the front wheels). Some locomotives need them and don't have them, others have them and don't need them. I have had locomotives run much better taking the spring out. You may have to change the front wheel set to something heavier like all metal nickle plated. If just the wheel tire is metal the wheels might be to light. Also check to see if the front truck pivots freely with no tension or binds. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I just bought my Bachmann Prairie a couple of
weels ago. This is my first steam engine. I have
four diesels that have no problem negotiating my
code 100 brass track. However, I had a simiar
derailing problem with my new 2-6-2. Since performance was preferable to prototypical accuraccy, I simple removed the front wheels. They are there only for looks, and provide no support or guidance for the engine. Besides they're so small that unless you're looking for them, you wont even notice they're missing. Now, I'm as proud of my little "0-6-2" as could be,and it is now my smoothest runner. Just be sure to put the screw back in since it holds the front of the chassis to the boiler shell. Good Luck!
Missabe Bob

[Anonymous]

This is a common problem in N guage aand sometimes on the real engines them selves. I don't have this engine but am an HO-er myself. The N gauge guys and weight to there front wheel sets using small buck shot or a small piece of lead flattened out with a hammer. the problems for your engine and a lot of the N stuff is very common. Try weighing it down and let us know how it works...........Jamie