Kato N Scale E8A Tracking Problems? Or is it my track?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I just received a Kato N scale E8A in the mail after winning it on eBay. I went to test it on my layout and was shocked to find it terribly sensitive to my track. Now, my track is laid with the utmost of care, leveled and rechecked, soldered and devoid of kinks. It’s Atlas code 80, so it should be able to handle anything. Yet, I found the E8A derails on a joint on a curve between sections of flextrack. I know what you’re thinking, but:

The curve radius is 15" (more than adequate for any 6-axle N scale diesel)
The curve has a gentle 0.020" superelevation
There is no visual evidence of a kink or uneven surface (the only evidence of a joint at all is the presence of soldered rail joiners)
My other 6-axle E units (none of them Kato) and a Kato 2-8-2 sail through that curve without a flinch

It looks as if the engine rocks to the inside and then the rear power truck derails to the outside. Also, at various speeds the E8 will split the points of number 8 Peco turnouts. I’ve tried very hard to make my track as close to flawless as possible and ALL of my other equipment performs without stall or derailment everywhere on the layout. The E8 is new from the box and doesn’t appear damaged in any way.

Very perplexed and annoyed here… Anyone have a similar problem, and if so what’s the fix? I’m worried that even if I subject my layout to the extreme trauma of removing track and ballast, I won’t be able to do any better than I’ve already done.

HELP!!!

Dave

2

What you are describing sounds like the problem I had with an Intermountain FT. The problem turned out to be that the front truck sideframe assembly was not securely attached to the truck. Check this by turning the loco on its back and gently press your finger on the front and then the back of the truck sideframe assembly. You might feel it latch, which would mean that was the problem.

3

Thanks for the suggestion! But alas… Nope.

Dave

4

Make sure the offending truck is seated properly (not just the sideframe assembly) in the frame. Also make sure that the electrical contact tab on the top of the truck is riding on the underside of the contact strip on the frame, not on the inside or outside of it.

5

Your description of the loco’s rocking and splitting turnout points bring me to believe that the loco has one or more wheelsets that are out of gauge.I suggest that you look at this first.Not only is it important to have proper spacing between the wheels of any axle,all three axle sets of the same truck must align right also.

6

Jacktal…

YOU DA MAN.

Thanks so much! I should have known to do that. I checked each wheel with my NMRA standareds gauge, and two of the axles on the lead truck were too wide. A little pressure popped them right back into gauge, and now she works wonderfully! Still a tiny click at the joint, but no rocking and no derailing! Whew, you just saved me some major and ultimately futile track surgery.

I owe you one! Today’s lesson is:

Check the gauge! My track was right on the money, thankfully.

Thanks, also, to Mark… You two are both evidence of why this is the World’s Greatest Hobby!

–Relieved in North Carolina…