Derailing Amtrack passenger cars on a switch

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have created a 3 1/2 ft x 5 ft N gauge layout with 2 trains (a freight train and an Amtrack passenger train) and a trolley car.

The freight train works with little problems. The Amtrak locomotive goes over the turnout switch fine, but when the passenger cars get there they either turn in the direction of the switch (even though the switch is in the straight run position) or they derail completely. All connections have been soldered and appear to be smooth.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

George Carlile

Orlando, FL

2

Wheel gauge, actual gauge and flange path clearances throughout the turnout, points rails need to be needle sharp and sit completely flush with their stock rail flange sides. Use lots of light and magnification to ensure the points lie flush and very sharp at the pointy end. Also, have a close look at the frogs. Are they so full of stuffing that they actually lift, and therefore twist the car sideways? This rocking will have an effect rearwards on the trailing truck axles.

3

check the wheel gauge to see if they are in gauge. also check the clearance of the open point to the stock rail. the flanges are probably snagging the point. another thing is if the cars are coming out of a curve into the switch the trucks may not be able to follow the loco.

4

Is this a Kato Amtrak engine?

I found that my Kato N scale engine’s wheels were a bit wide in gauge. I gently pressed the wheels together on the axle and they popped into gauage. Now it runs prefectly.

Good luck!

EDIT: Duh! You said the engine was fine; the coaches derailed. Sorry! I’ll have to stick with the common thread of advice here and that’s to check the wheel gauge. Again, good luck! Trains are only fun when they run right.

5

Did anybody get hurt?

6

Are your cars properly weighted? Long cars are usually on the light side and if the cars are too light they will be more likely to climb out of the switches.

7

I noticed noone asked what number the switch in question is. The “tell” here is the fact that freight cars, which are generally shorter, go through OK, but the passenger cars derail.