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Comprehensive list of causes of derailments

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  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 4:39 PM

dstarr

Good list, but somehow we missed "Rolling stock too light.  Needs to be weighted up the NMRA standard."  I had a mine branch with a grade and a curve.  The train would go up, but always derailed backing down.  After adding weight to NMRA standard, I could back down and stay on the track. 

How did we miss THAT

Gary

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Posted by caldreamer on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 4:50 PM

One that got missed is ballast in the flange side of track and turnouts, causing wheels to ride up.

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 11:07 PM

Fouling a clearance point on a turnout/yard ladder.

This could be called exactly what it is... Operating error causing colission. 

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 554 posts
Posted by Shock Control on Thursday, November 30, 2017 5:44 PM

Reading through the thread, it's no wonder that trucking overtook railroads. ;)

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Thursday, November 30, 2017 6:01 PM

I’ll wait a while and see if we get more, then update the list. 

Some of the fixes are obvious but others may need some possible solutions. Therefore I plan on selecting some and ask for your ideas to correct them. 

Gary

  • Member since
    November 2017
  • 92 posts
Posted by Bubbytrains on Thursday, November 30, 2017 6:54 PM

Someone mentioned obstructions on the track, but I'd like to elaborate: many times I have left tools on the tracks, either across the rails or between the gauge. Small jeweler's screwdrivers, uncoupling picks, and bright-boy are examples. If the small screwdrivers straddle the rails, I usually don't derail because it causes a short and I can't run at all! These incidents always happen when I'm in a hurry to test run after trackwork or scenery. Another cause of track obstructions is something my cats have knocked over previously without my knowledge. They seem to favor my telephone poles and crossbucks.

Bubbytrains

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 554 posts
Posted by Shock Control on Thursday, November 30, 2017 7:07 PM

Did anyone mention cats coughing up hairballs?

  • Member since
    October 2005
  • 206 posts
Posted by rockymidlandrr on Thursday, November 30, 2017 7:30 PM

Trains fouling adjacent tracks in the yard- fixed it with close clearance ties marked.

Club members failing to understand how a crossover works.  Either its left lined for straightaway or diverging movement.  

Or club members who specialize in electrical aspects of the hobby, trying to do trackwork....  Yikes...  Or folks doing track work thinking they're doing a great job and leave gaps in the track of over 1/8th of a inch, and still claim their experts.

Then blame my equipment when my in guage wheels, rolling stock, properly weighted, kadee #5 equipped train wont make it a full loop without derailing.

Fun stuff....

Still building the Rocky Midland RR Through, Over, and Around the Rockies

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