just purshased a new Genisus 282 steamer, runs fine, smooth, but when it goes throuh a turnout the front wheels come off the track, this is the only engine that does this, although it is the only steam engine I have, any sugesttions, thanks in advance
I know there are several different ways to attack this problem, here’s a quick easy one. One trick I’ve learned is to add a little weight to the front (it doesn’t always work). Try wrapping a little solder around the front truck. It maybe just enough to fix the problem. What kind of turnout is it? #4? #6? Atlas? I ask because perhaps someone else has had a similar problem and has a better fix than mine.
There actually are a lot of posts on this forum, most under general discussion, on tracking and pulling problems with these locomotives. A topic search shouild bring up a number of things that will help.Cutting the sleeve of the decoder tail is a good first step. Removing the springs from the leading and trailing trucks should be next and then it’s a matter of adding additional weight. Check the previous posts for more details and if you have questions, let us know. There are a number of us who have worked through this and we’ll be glad to help.
Tom Watkins
This is a very common problem with this loco, so it’s not only you. I found that it tracks better on my new layout which has 30" min radius curves. My previous two layouts had 18" and I could never keep the lead truck on the track. Also traction is an issue with this locomotive.
I have equiped it with sound and DCC, so I will keep it, but it will see limited duty. Short trains and yard work. It’s a shame because this is a smooth, quite and detailed loco. Dave
pacificnorthern - first of all I’d suggest you check the wheels are in gauge. I’m sorry I don’t know the NMRA recommended practice (RP) values for this, but you could check the NMRA web site: www.nmra.org
Good luck!
Oliver
Since you supply no details about your layout I’m only guessing here but you should at least check to see if the leading truck is tracking correctly, centers properly, is properly tensioned and not warped.
I suggest you try running the loco on another layout with the same radius curves as your pike. If the locomotive performs correctly the problem is in your track work, if not the problem is in the locomotive. Most likely your curve radius is too tight for eight coupled steam power.
Have a look at the NMRA site for recommended operating radius for your rolling stock
Randy
Since no one’s answered your question directly, I’ll try to.
Check the switch first. Does the Athearn Mike derail at EVERY switch, or just the one problem child? Usually, tracking issues are the track’s fault, not the engine’s. The Athearn Mike is a pretty good engin, but it’s not very forgiving of bad track (few model steamers are). Check to make sure the rail joiners really are installed correctly, that there’s no ballast or other foreign objects making the lead truck pick up at the switch, make sure there’s no hump, gap, or misaligned rail at the switch.
If it really is the lead truck that’s the problem, there’s no “one fix” solution. First try removing the tension spring. Most brass steamers don’t have a front truck spring, and they have no problems with trackwork. If this doesn’t cure the problem, temporarily add some weight to the lead truck without the tension spring. If THAT doesn’t work, try a weighted lead truck WITH the tension spring. Unfortunately, with a problem like this, you’ve got to try all three of these tricks to figure out which one will work for your specific situation.
Go ahead and check the wheel gauge while you’re at it. None of the wheelsets on my 12 engines were out of gauge when I bought them, but there could have been a few that Athearn let slip through.
This is a known problem with this model. I cannot find the reference right now, but I believe the simple solution was to remove the spring between the truck and frame.
I have the same loco and had the same problem. when I took it apart to install sound I poked lead shot in and around the boiler where it would fit and I also put small lead pieces on the front and rear truck. That seemed to solve the problem. It tracks far better now than before and seldom derails. I left the spring in the front truck for what it is worth.
terry[8D]