Broadway Limited GG1 and 18" radius track doesn't work

[Anonymous]

Hi, more woes from me . I have a new GG 1 and on 18" raduis turns it derails the first car behind it. There is not enough travel in the coupler on the engineto make the turn. Any suggestions and help would be appreciated. Thanks,
Jon

[Jetrock]

Wider radius curves is probably the only solution...or a smaller engine.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure about this ,but wouldn't maybe changing the coupler with one with a longer shank help this problem.I don't keep up with all the sizes offered by Kadee so maybe someone else who reads this might be able to answer this. Terry.

[Jetrock]

A longer shank would not fix the problem unless it allowed the coupler to flex at a greater angle--about the only thing I can think of would be installing some sort of radial coupler, which would involve some work. Even then, if the ends of the GG1 are too long it will still yank cars off the track.

Complaining about long enignes not working properly on sharp curves is kind of like complaining that your Hummer won't fit in spots marked "compact" in a parking lot.

[Anonymous]

How about reviewing the merits of a KD swing coupler bracket on your lead car. This should give your coupler more lateral swing.
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page113.htm

[Paul Milenkovic]

That KD swing coupler bracket looks like a real cool product. Yeah, yeah, prototype, scale, large radius curves are better, but some of us are on a space budget or want to exhibit equipment on small portable layouts.

I once scratchbuilt an interurban style radial coupler for an 85' container skeleton car for use on 18" radius (the concept was to have "intermodal service" on a "Dieselized interurban"), and I heard that Athearn had some kind of body-mounted but extended swing coupler arrangement for their piggyback flat, but the KD product has a centering spring and looks like it may be just the ticket.

[Don Gibson]

TRY 22 INCH RADIUS,

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by In training

Hi, more woes from me . I have a new GG 1 and on 18" raduis turns it derails the first car behind it. There is not enough travel in the coupler on the engineto make the turn. Any suggestions and help would be appreciated. Thanks,
Jon

I think the swing coupler is a great idea,but remember the longer your cars the more twisting they do on those short radius turns,does it derail 40 foot freight cars or shorter,are you running 85 foot passenger cars?Of course larger radius turns are better but for some not feasible.Good luck and keep us posted,there is no dought that someone here in the forum will be able to answer all your questions,and as you learn alot of us here learn with you.Terry.

[grayfox1119]

KD recommends filing the edges of the gear box to give you more swing. Worth a try.

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[Jetrock]

Of course, derailments on dieselized interurbans running modern equipment on super-sharp interurban curves is completely prototypical!

[Anonymous]

Hello to you all,
Thankyou to all of you that offered real suggestions to cure the problem. I run my trains for fun, prototypical is not something I concern my self with ,and changing to 22" curves is also not an answer. After looking at how IHC and Rivarossi mounted couplers on their GG1 I took a closer look at the BLI. I also called Kadee and learned that the coupler box with the #18 snap in kadee coupler that BLI supplies does not have the ability to swing out enough to negoitiate 18" turns which BLI says it will. You can not file the gear box because this is a snap in coupler box and has has no point of axis to swing in the coupler box. The #18 coupler head is designed to do the swing,but VERY LIMITED. Actually it looks as though it barely can make a 22". Now the good news, I mounted a good Ole kadee #5 the same way couplers are mounted on the Rivarossi GG1. One screw two spacers, and now going down the pike just fine. This GG1 from BLI has become my favorite loco. They really do make a super quality product. that I now enjoy to the fullest.Thankyou again for all those that took the time to really help.
Jon

[grayfox1119]

Nice fix Jon !!!!! I'm happy all is well with your favorite engine.

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[twhite]

Jon--while you're on the forum, how did the BLI's and that turnout of yours come out? Still derailing? Just curious.
Tom