Most have probably seen my posts about 89’ cars and such. This one, however, concerns yard ladders and large locomotives. A common problem that can occur while backing a a 6-axle locomtive to a train is it can hit the curve and points wrong and jump the tracks. Unfortunately, this can cause the entire locomotive to jump the tracks and cause a massive derailment of rolling stock in some cases. Plus, it will cause the couplers to fail as well. All of this can be quite frustrating.
B30
That’s one reason they made switch engines. If you have made your yard with #6’s, I would think most locos should make it. If you use a switch engine to make up/break up your trains on to an A&D track, should have no problem at all as long as your switches onto the main are large enough.
Good luck,
Richard
i would dare say yours is a common problem only if you have very sharp curves and switches or your track geometry is somewhat less than reasonable. have you been religious about using your gauge and keeping your wheels and track within specs?
a massive derailment in the yard, just like on the prototype is usually the result of running too fast or somebody having their head where the sun doesn’t shine and therefor not noticing that something is on the ground.
as your design and trackwork skills improve, these problems will all go away. believe me, i once had the same pains.
grizlump
If you use #6 switches in your yards, lay your track carefully, body mount your couplers, weight your cars to a standard and maintain your wheels and couplers, you won’t have this problem.
I’ve had 6 axle loco’s travel Atlas #4 turnouts at max speed with no problem. Just took a little tuning of the turnout.
Here’s a ladder made of Atlas #4 switches…Any long wheel base engine or should be able to back through these switches since they are smooth flowing and that is the key to any yard ladder…
