Recently bought Lionel Berkshire 2-8-4 loco. (my 1st venture into anything newer than1950’s locomotives). This thing really has been a challenge to run smoothly. Seems very unstable and top heavy, derails easily and barely makes it around 0-27 curves.
Anybody else have similar experience or suggestions?
The new Berkshires are designed for O-36(Fastrack). They will bind and tip on O-27, but on Fastrack with a CW-80 they will not, even at full throttle with a light load.
The Berk is considered an “O Gauge” locomotive (32 inch circle). O-27 track may be a challenge on its 8 driver wheel base. Look for a tight swing on the “pilot truck” under the cylinders. Is the Draw Bar long enough between the engine and tender??
The 726-736 Berkshires, while always cataloged for “O” Gauge, have always run quite well on O-27 for me, even through switches. The new Berks, not so well.