N Scale Track Problem

[Anonymous]

I just finished laying my track a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly tested it with all my engines (GP-20, SD40, SD90, and RDC). The SD40 from Kato was the most helpful as it pointed out joints that required fixing as the guage was slightly too narrow. After all the repairs were done no more derailments were seen and all the locomotives were tested for over an hour running different directions through all the switches.

However after gluing the track with a 50/50 glue to water mixture (used 60/40 rubbing alcohol to water with a dab of soap prior to application) the SD40 now derails in several sections. I can only assume when the glued dried the loose rail in the flex track dried and narrowed the track slightly as it was on the inside corner. The smallest corner is an 11" radius and the Kato locomotives are guaranteed to the 9 3/4" radius. I've just purchased 3 more SD90s and they all have the same problem as the SD40 whereas my first SD90 didn't. The only similarity between the SD90s just purchased and my two SD40s are the wheels. The wheels on my other SD90 that works fine have slack between the flanges and the rails when you shift the trucks side to side between the rails. However there is very little slack on the two SD40s and the other 3 SD90s when shifting the trucks side to side on the rails. I'm also using Atlas code 80 flex track.

Would laying the flex track with the loose rail on the outside prevent this problem?

I've been told I could use a pocket stone agains the inside curve rail to enlarge the guage so the trains won't derail.

I've also been told how to re-guage the wheelsets on all my Kato engines so that they will have more slack like the other SD90 engine from Kato that works.

Has anyone ever had this problem before and if so what was there solution.

Thanks
Paul

[Anonymous]

I'm no expert for sure and that is why I stay away from flex-track on curves. I have had similar problems in both N and HO with flex-track and I now only use it for straight sections with maybe a hint of a curve if needed.

[Anonymous]

HI There
My name is Larry in response to your question one of the first things you need to look at is the gauge of the wheels on all locomotives and rolling stock this is done with an NMRA GAUGE for the scale you model in if you do not already have one i suggest you get one it is a very valuable tool to have it tells you wheel gauge track , points and flanges so you can see if everything checks out if not you can easily fix it if the problem persists i usally run the train reeaal slow through problem area and use a flashlight at track level to see exactly what is occuring at that point to cause the derailment i.e wide track narrow gauge point pickin, low coupler pins debris inside rails where the wheel ride or even misaligned track joints even the slightest bit can cause it to bail out i would start there
as far as flex track i do not know as i do not use myself my layout is made with Kato Unitrack all 12 by 15 feet of it

i hope this helps ya

LARRY
FLAGSTAFF AZ

[Anonymous]

I would like to second the thought from Larry. When I started constructing an N scale layout in late 1999, one of the first things I purchased was an N scale NMRA Standards Gauge to check that the width of the track, the heights of all couplers, and the wheel sets on all cars and locos was accurate and correct. I also converted, very quickly, from the Atlas flex-track, to the Flex track made by Micro-Engineering. While it is a little higher in cost than the Atlas, it is SO much easier to work with, it will make you wi***hat you had never tried the Atlas!!
And now that M-E has code 70 track and turnouts in N scale, it is even easier to work with.

Either that or use the Kato Unitrack(which I have also tried and it is so easy to work with).

[BRAKIE]

Paul,I was wondering,Did you check to see if the problem was cause by ballast sticking up and causing the engine to derail?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your responses. I have purchased an NMRA N scale track guage a couple weeks ago and I have check both the guage on my engines and my track. So far here is a count of my engines and which ones work and don't.

Working Engines

Kato RDC #1 in guage
Kato RDC #3 in guage
Kato SD90 (UP) slightly narrow in guage
Lifelike GP-20 slightly narrow in guage

Engines that derail

Kato SD40 (CP) in guage
Kato SD40 (CP) in guage
Kato SD90 (CP) in guage
Kato SD90 (CP) in guage
Kato SD90 (CP) in guage

A slightly narrow guage by my definition is a wheel set where one flange sits into the notch and the other flange is almost in the notch but slightly closer to the center.

I believe the reason why the one SD90 works is because the guage is slightly narrow and makes it around the corners without any derailments.

Now I have checked those 11" corners where my engines derail and the track guage is slightly narrow. So my current plan is to rip up those corners and relay new flex track. However I may relay those corners slightly differently.

My current theory is when those 11" corners dried after applying the 50/50 glue mixture the flex rail glued preventing any flexibility. I have found when the flex track is loose the track will slide side to side slightly. Now I believe since the flex track was laid with the loose rail on the inside of the track it naturally pushes towards the center of the rails; therefore, narrowing the flex track. However, if I were to lay the flex track with the loose rail on the outside the loose rail will pu***owards the outside slightly.

I'm making a test track tonight where I'm going to glue down a piece of flex track with the loose rail towards the outside. Then I'm just going to run my engines over it and check the guage after it dries.

And to answer your other questions:

I currently don't have ballast over the areas where my track is laid down.

I don't plan on using Kato Unitrack for my layout.

I like the idea about the Micro Eng. Flex track and I agree that it is easier to use but I believe there has to be a solution to this problem as all my track has been laid.

I thank you all for your responses and I'll keep you informed how my track experiment goes tonight.

Until then any further suggestions, ideas, or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Paul

[Anonymous]

ooops!!! I spelt gauge incorrectly too many times.

[Anonymous]

Post this to the Atlas N scale forum and you will get your answer.