I need help in correcting derailment problems with my Athearn C44-9W.
I purchased a powered C44-9W and a dummy C44-9W back in 1996 so they are blue box. I finally completed my new DCC equipped layout and started operating both units back to back about two months ago. My problem is that the six wheel trucks on both units are very prone to derail. The derailing truck can be either the first, second, third or fourth truck, and the units derail sometimes on curves, switches, and even tangent track.
My curves are at least 22 to 24 inch radius. The powered unit is pretty heavy, and the dummy unit exceeds the NMRA weight standard. I have removed the brake rigging from the front end truck of both units.
All my other locomotives are B-B units and I have no derailment problems with them or other freight cars. Has anybody encountered this problem before, and if so, what is the corrective action to take?
and check your wheels for the correct gauge and then the track where you are derailing. I think you will find your problem. Also you should check that the trucks themselves move about freely
As mentioned above by Ric; wheel guage, get out your NMRA guage and check.
Also, as Ric mentioned above; poor track work, these are BIG locomotives and demand very good track work. Check for kinks, both vertically and horizontally, and track guage, especially in the areas of the derailments, and up to six feet before the derailments.
some early C44-9W had bent frames; remove the shell, and check with a good straight edge. The bent frame does not allow the trucks to sit level - check on a piece of glass or a surface plate.
I had a C44 recently that a derailment problem aorund 22" curves, turns out it was that trucks not turning fully due to rubbing on the inside frame, (frame was straight) bent the inside metal piece on the trucks a 1/4 inch and has being fine ever since…or course could be wheel gauge as the previous post…Hope this helps…
The bent frame or out of gauge wheels are the options I’d suspect, good advice above. All I’d add is that the wheels on stub axles are just a push fit into the gear. Remove them from the truck by taking off the keeper plate and ease them out very carefully if undergauge or you’ll risk cracking the gear. If they are overgauge then remove as above and preferably using a vice, pushing on the axle ends, gently squeeze them until they touch the gauge. Check the gauge again once out of the vice before putting them back.
Funny, we had a similar experience at a rercent show! There is a spot on my module that one of the fellows’ SD70 trips no matter what speed. But my 6 wheel trucked E-7’s roll right on by it, as do all 4 wheel truck locos. I plan to take a steel straightedge with a light behind it to see if there is a minute dip. If so, I will shim it up. I will also check the track guage. But I still wonder if it is the units, maybe? jc5729
I think your problem is with the curves and Ric and Nigel have the most probable answer. When you gauge the wheels, make the center set “tight”. Minimum or slightly less. These long trucks often bind on curves and it will cause the front set of wheels to pop off the track, slightly. They might pop off in a curve and you won’t notice it until it hits a switch.