Here I go again. Looking for help when I can’t figure it out. All my locos steem and diesel, 2-8-2’s, 4-6-2’s, 4 axle, 6 axle and 80’ passenger cars run smoth through this 26” curve but a 4 axle RDC gets to one point of the curve and it slows - sounds like grinding and then proceeds through, If I run oit at a slow speed to gets stuck. I can move it with my hand through the curve and don’t feel any resistance.
Ideas??
Gary
That sounds like an internal disorder. Maybe flashing on a gear that only binds and makes noise at the extreme of the truck's swivel, or an internal wire is getting snagged on a gear (that's bad even in the short term). If you feel up to it, remove the shell and run it. Look for obvious problems, but you'll be able to locate the place the noise happens better.
I'm no expert, but it may be that your wheel's are out of gauge.
They will do fine on a straight section but bind a little when going through a turn
Rust...... It's a good thing !
Check your curve where it happens. Make sure it is actually 26" and that there's no kink at that place. Run your fingers over that spot on the rail and the ties feeling for obstruction, rough area, etc. Make sure the track is in gauge - use an NMRA gauge.
Good luck
Paul
Little Timmy I'm no expert, but it may be that your wheel's are out of gauge.
I agree.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
I don’t think it’s the loco because it goes arround an identical turn in another location. This is one spot where I have not replaced track so it’s likely a track problem.
When I run the Track tool (cutting tool) https://www.micromark.com/Deluxe-HO-Gauge-Track-Laying-Set over the curve it slides easily and without resistance. My track inspection car (clear plastic and trucks) runs right through w/o any problem. Today I’ll try the NMRA tool and Kadee gauge.
CHECK the guage both on the curve and on the wheesets.
Check to be sure that the trucks swivle properly and are not hanging up on something inside of the shell body.
Does it do this in either direction or only in facing this way or that?
Check the track leading into the curve. It may be that it was off the rail for quite some distance before the curve and is only giving trouble on the curve.
Is thre a grade issue in this location?
could be a proud track nail is hangging on some low hanging fruit. Do you have any other equipmen near the rails, a soldered wire sticking up?
Maybe the Hogwarts Express went by and left a jinx on the tracks.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Moving forward at speed step 10 (28steps) through the curve at about the half way point the RDC grinds, slows and then proceeds. After passing I reverse the loco and it returns through that point with almost imperceptible hesitation.
Turn the loco arround now moving backwards through teh curve it goes through and then reversing goes through again.
Foward
https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=AwGfTzOmn5uW1_w_&u=/watch%3Fv%3D2ZPpj4zY3UA%26feature%3Dem-share_video_user
Reverse
https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=W70blPNe96P8WuJK&u=/watch%3Fv%3DqdGvOvDdpxI%26feature%3Dem-share_video_user
Is it catching on the tunnel portal. The other things you listed are not as long a wheelbase as a RDC. Are the trucks equal-distant from the end of the RDC, or is one slightly closer to the end of the car than the other.
The other curve that it goes through without a problem - is it also turning left, or is that a right hand turn? That would seem to indicate there is some mechanism bind when the trucks are turned one way but not the other. How about if you run it forward on the right hand track there at the tunnel? That will tell if it's catching on something in the tunnel due to the overhang of the car. If it is catching on something, it doesn't appear to be the portal itself, but something in the structure just inside the portal.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker The other curve that it goes through without a problem - is it also turning left, or is that a right hand turn? That would seem to indicate there is some mechanism bind when the trucks are turned one way but not the other. How about if you run it forward on the right hand track there at the tunnel? That will tell if it's catching on something in the tunnel due to the overhang of the car. If it is catching on something, it doesn't appear to be the portal itself, but something in the structure just inside the portal. --Randy
Yes the other one is the one you identified as needing to be relaid on the other side of the layout. Remember the Atlas RS1 derailing before the bridge. That one is the same diameter as this. The tunnel portal WAS what I thought the problem was so I replaced the existing one and kitbashed 2 double into this one. It does not hit and has at least 1/4 inch clearance. Also it runs smoothly through in reverse. I have to try the other track and confirm the track gauge. The RDC trucks are in gauge and move freely.
Track in gauge. Only thing left to check is for hump or valley. There are no visible obstructions I can see but this RDC does have a lot of underside detail.
Why would it occur in only 1 of four scenarios. Forward turning left. It must be hitting something. I neee to ge in close and watch.
It runs fine Reverse turning right, reverase turning left and forward turning right as you can se in the videos.
Did you try rotating your RDC 180 degrees and running through the four same scenarios on the same section of track??? Worth noting to see what happens...or doesn't happen...
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
RDC's haul people, so the answer is simple.
Its doing a "flag stop" to pick up, what turns out to be a gremlin in disguise.
Ok, ok, jokes over... For now.
In all seriousness, if the location is more prohibitive on "getting close", your camera should be able to get closer.
Sometimes I find that if I do close-up video, at a slow speed, I can find the issue easier, as my camera can get into places I can't.
Try multiple angles, and watch them all carefully. You might see something you missed otherwise.
I also feel that something must be snagging something in that spot, but only in one direction. (Detail piece?)
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.
That loco is long, any chance the overhang on the curve is hanging up on some bit of scenery next to the track on the inside of the curve? The underside of the car catching something on the ground?
gdelmoro I don’t think it’s the loco because it goes arround an identical turn in another location. This is one spot where I have not replaced track so it’s likely a track problem.
Let me add that a 26 inch radius curve is on the tight side. I have found through experience that any radius curve under 30 inch can be problematic. At one time, my double track layout was 22 inch and 24 inch. I had all kinds of problems with certain locos. So, I now have only 30 inch and 32 inch radius curves, and I have no problems with any loco on any curve.
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain gdelmoro I don’t think it’s the loco because it goes arround an identical turn in another location. This is one spot where I have not replaced track so it’s likely a track problem. No such thing as an identical turn. As you say, it likely is a track problem. Let me add that a 26 inch radius curve is on the tight side. I have found through experience that any radius curve under 30 inch can be problematic. At one time, my double track layout was 22 inch and 24 inch. I had all kinds of problems with certain locos. So, I now have only 30 inch and 32 inch radius curves, and I have no problems with any loco on any curve. Rich
No such thing as an identical turn. As you say, it likely is a track problem.
Rich if I was able to do it over i would have nothing less than 30” also. Unfortunately, I cannot so I’m stuck with the 26 & 28 curves I have.
When I purchase a locomotive (or rolling stock) I always check to see what the minimum radius curve is. In this case Rapido says 18” so I thought I should be fine with 26.
Also this model has a lot of detail underneath that is very close to clearance minimus so the slightest hump or dip in the track would be problematic.
SOLVED !!!!
There was a track nail sitting a little too high (not snug to the tie). I crawled under the layout, Removed a cross member of the benchwork (temporary) and created a access point. Not easy for an old man. Then I slowly ran the loco until it stopped. With my hand I moved the loco and could hear something grinding. Nothing visible arround the loco but underneath I found this nail.
It was painted so I never would have seen it unless I was right on top of the track. Lifting up the loco i could see slight scratches on one of the underside details.
I don’t understand why the loco caught this nail in only one direction but now it works.
Next step is to re-install the scenery partition and finish the tunnel portal.
Thanks for all the replies.
PS I HATE when Rich says it’s trackwork because he’s been right so far 100% of the time.
gdelmoro richhotrain gdelmoro I don’t think it’s the loco because it goes arround an identical turn in another location. This is one spot where I have not replaced track so it’s likely a track problem. No such thing as an identical turn. As you say, it likely is a track problem. Let me add that a 26 inch radius curve is on the tight side. I have found through experience that any radius curve under 30 inch can be problematic. At one time, my double track layout was 22 inch and 24 inch. I had all kinds of problems with certain locos. So, I now have only 30 inch and 32 inch radius curves, and I have no problems with any loco on any curve. Rich Rich if I was able to do it over i would have nothing less than 30” also. Unfortunately, I cannot so I’m stuck with the 26 & 28 curves I have. When I purchase a locomotive (or rolling stock) I always check to see what the minimum radius curve is. In this case Rapido says 18” so I thought I should be fine with 26. Also this model has a lot of detail underneath that is very close to clearance minimus so the slightest hump or dip in the track would be problematic.
Rapido can say what it wants about minimum radius, but if I were forced to use 18 inch radius curves in HO scale, I would convert to N scale.
In my experience, I have had several locomotives, diesel and steam, derail on my layout, and I always found the problem to be the track.
The one exception was my beloved Thumper, a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 Light Mountain, It had an obvious "limp" as it traveled down the layout and derailed on 24 inch radius curves. I sent it back to Bachmann for repairs, and Bachmann claimed it lacked the spare parts to repair it.
Another advantage of using caulk to fasten the track down. No nails to ever get in the way.
That's all I used, nothing fancy, just plain latex caulk. Used it for the road bed onto foam, and the track onto road bed.
Mike.
My You Tube
I am glad you found the problem.
.
Things like this are where Kato Unitrack can be a great troubleshooting tool. You can set up any kind of "obstacle course" using Kato Unitrack and run your problem locomotive through it.
If it works on the sectional track, but not the layout, it is a good bet the problem is on the layout.
If the problem still exists on the Kato track, look into the piece of equipment.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
gdelmoro SOLVED !!!! There was a track nail sitting a little too high (not snug to the tie). I crawled under the layout, Removed a cross member of the benchwork (temporary) and created a access point. Not easy for an old man. Then I slowly ran the loco until it stopped. With my hand I moved the loco and could hear something grinding. Nothing visible arround the loco but underneath I found this nail. It was painted so I never would have seen it unless I was right on top of the track. Lifting up the loco i could see slight scratches on one of the underside details. I don’t understand why the loco caught this nail in only one direction but now it works. Next step is to re-install the scenery partition and finish the tunnel portal. Thanks for all the replies. PS I HATE when Rich says it’s trackwork because he’s been right so far 100% of the time.
Gary, I was posting my own reply this morning as you posted your solution, so I missed it until I just saw Kevin's reply congratulating you on finding the problem.