The carts in my 356 Operating Freight Station both end up under the shed because the carts do not turn fast enough under the shed. I have tried various adjustments of the air gap screws, but I have not found a way to get the carts to turn fast enough under the shed to prevent both carts from getting locked in the shed.
Any suggestions for a solution to this problem?
Is there a better way to adjust the air gap screws other than trial and error?
Earl
The 356 has a rubber cushion under each of the adjusting nuts. Perhaps the one under the house is a little more dried out than the one on the open end. Try exchanging them.
If your Station is screwed down, loosen the screws.
Make certain the track is clean.
The carts should have a little finger sticking down from underneath the platform on which the man is mounted. Do both cars have the finger?
I’ve replaced damaged or missing fingers by heating a piece of piano wire, and pushing it into the plastic where the finger was. The piano wire seems to slide more smoothly than the original finger.
Earl,
In addition to what CW said above, I’d like to add my observations. The runway is supported by four springs. It is possible that they might need to be replaced. The pin (finger) that CW mentioned in crucial for the carts to move properly. Also, the rubber pads on the bottom of each cart should be replaced if any of the fingers are missing or stiff. One thing that made my 356 work better was to go over the runway with an automotive cleaner wax. It will make the paint smooth again so that the carts will move more easily. Be sure that the runway has freedom of movement.
Through the years and several layouts I have tinkered with these and have to say that the advice above is excellent for sure. Odd as it may seem, how tight or loose the finial nuts on the roof are from one end to the other can contribute to the amount of vibration considerably. Is the unit level? Also, it something is in contact with the track from below it interferes with the vibration. Hope this helps.