I have an IHC 2-8-2 that has a problem going through an EZ Track LH turnout. When running straight against the turnout the 4th set of drivers and the back wheels seem to raise up slightly causing the engine cab to lurch to the right. With any speed it sometimes derails. When running into the turnout, but with the turnout straight the front (pony?) wheels will try to make the left hand turn even though the track in straight. I have a second IHC 2-8-2 that runs through the turnout in either direction with no problem. Any ideas causing this problem and any cures? Thanks for and and all suggestions and/or help.
Sounds like your locomotive wheels are out of gauge. I would purchase an NMRA gauge and then you can also gauge your track to see if any shimming is required.
David B
I agree about checking your wheel gauge–also, those EZ track turnouts can be kind of tricky without a little ‘tweaking’. You might want to check the point rails and see if they snap flush with the other rails. If not, you might want to do a little filing on the point rails where they connect to make sure that you have a smooth fit. All model turnouts can come with this problem, even up to the more scale-like Sinohara and Peco turnouts. In HO scale, the tolerances are really tight even in the most carefully designed turnouts.
You’ve probably done this already, but if you haven’t, run your IHC through the turnout at the slowest speed it will go without stalling, and see where your drivers and trailing wheel catch. If they are riding up, as you say, the problem could be the point rail itself. If after checking your wheel gauge and it still happens, then I’d suggest GENTLY filing the point rail down where it rests against the other rail. This could solve the problem. Steam locos in particular, are VERY testy about turnouts, at times.
Good luck.
Tom [:)]
You would be surprised how many loco and rolling stock wheels are out of gauge, right out of the box. The track and wheel gauge, is the best money I’ve ever spent. Well, almost.
How old is this engine? If it’s an older one that has the “pizza cutter” deep wheel flanges, that might be the problem; however, it seems to me that every set of wheels would be lifted off the rail at the frog, not just the rear set. As others have suggested, run the locomotive very slowly through the turnout and watch what happens. If every set of wheels are raising up, the problem is the wheel flanges and there’s not much that can be done about it.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions to solve the problem. I checked the gauge, closely examined the turnout (frog, and different rails) and could find nothing wrong. Finally, after running the engine through the turnout for the zillionth time I noticed something hitting the point rail - the something was the shaft or pin below the cab that connects the engine to the tender. With the help of the Dreml tool I filed off the shaft and the problem was corrected. I am embarrassed that I did not notice this during all the times I looked at the problem. Again, thanks for the suggestions - nice to have a site where we can get help.
Don’t be embarassed, your solution might save someone else a load of consternation in the future. Every lesson we learn is valuable.
Also, that pin (or the point rail) would eventually have worn down by itself. Probably after another zilloin runs. [:-^]