Is anyone having trouble with intermountain ho scale diesel 6 axle units derailing? I have 2 of these engines & they have trouble going around some of my curves. My other engines including a Broadway ac1000 have no problem making the curves. my curves are 22 inch curves,maybe 21 inch curves in a couple of places. Im thinking the engines are sesitive to uneven track and very picky about 22 inch curves.
Might help if we know which IMRC engine you are referring to.
I know the SD40-2s had a lot of people complaining about the turning radius, but was was on 18" radius. They are recommended for a minimum of 20" radius - still under what you are claiming to have.
Different people have reported changing to a different coupler box that has been trimmed back as that is where the bind is - the trucks hit the coupler box when attempting to turn too tight.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Any six axle truck, whether engine or rolling stock will have problems on a small radius curve or track for that matter. The slightest kink or uneven track, the center wheel set will find it and literally force the other two wheel sets to derail. Sounds to Me that You don't have a true radius of 22''. Check for kinks, especially at rail joiners. You could have one rail ok and the other have a slight kink and that will play havock with six wheel trucks, unless they are very heavy to keep the center wheel set from lifting. Also check what was mentioned above, but My feeling is the trackwork.
Good Luck!
Frank
They are sd40-2s ,cant find any kinks but Ill check radius out again. Also they have trouble going thru my smaller atlas switches. Thanks to all for help & advice.
the old train man They are sd40-2s ,cant find any kinks but Ill check radius out again. Also they have trouble going thru my smaller atlas switches. Thanks to all for help & advice.
Rich
Alton Junction
Old Train Man,
Think of a six axle truck like a playground teeter totter...the center wheel set on the truck as the base...whatever the base does the other two wheel sets want to follow and can't because they are rigid...that goes for lateral, vertical movement. Too tight of curve and it will lift the front or rear wheels off the rails.....even a low or high spot will do the same as Rich asked above.
A suggestion: Get a piece of 1/16'' card stock or plastic and measure the distance of the six wheel trucks wheels, from the first wheel set, the center and the last one. Make the card/plastic like a rectangle, width/length and put it right over Your curves and switches where the engines are derailing and You should see what the problem is. You could even take that rectangle cut-out and with the edge run it along the inside of some of Your track and view how much space is in the center line of the trucks.....if the card can't do it...the trucks surely won't be able to.
I used to use a small block of wood the same size as one truck that fit inside the rails on top of the ties and run that around some track work I had problems with. Found the problem everytime.
Good luck!
Might try an NMRA gauge on the wheels.
Ed
Found the problem, the rail was on a curve and it was a the beginning of a grade. Undid the track, ballast and all, shimed up the track with plastic sheeting made a more gradual transition and the sd40s ran fine, no derailing. Now maybe I can get back to work on the scenery I was working on,Thanks to all.
Hey! Chalk one up for the Old Train Man.........I'm young too....going on My 75th birthday this yr. soon.....LOL
Take Care!