Moved to a new home 3 months ago which prompted me to move from my HO layout to code 80 N scale. As I don’t have much time to devote to my hobbies I opted to build a Terrain for Trains 3 Module layout incorporating the High Sierra, Quarry and Town of Rocky Ridge pieces. I purchased the three modules and 3 track packs from the internet dealer that sells these sets.Laying the Atlas snap track was just completed according to the printed instructions and went generally pretty much according to plan. Used C clamps to bolt the 3 modules together and used rail snippers to cut the connecting track pieces between the separate units. Checked all my connections before using Plastic model glue to fasten the track ties to the plastic trackbed. According to the Terrain for Trains instructions the turnouts don’t get glued but ‘float’ between glued sections of track. Bought two track testing cars one from Micro Mark (plastic wheels)and one off of EBay (Metal wheels). I was real happy with my work and wanted to start adding some landscaping details.All the rail checked out great…except the Atlas Turnouts. Each one has I think a narrowing at the Frog(I think that’s what it’s called, it’s the ‘X’ shaped crossing part on the inside rails at the middle section of the Turnout) so that the inside wheels of the track testing car doesn’t ride in the grove between the guard rail and X shaped flang on the INSIDE of the turnout. Wheels ride up and over on the black colored piece( flangway???) and then fall into the proper position inside both rails after leaving this part of the Turnout. It seems to be happening on ALL the turnouts. I don’t think that I installed anything wrong but I am wondering how all the turnouts can have the same problem. Does this happen to others? Is there an easy solution to this problem? Haven’t hooked up my wires or power pack yet but I’m assuming it will cause problems running the trains if not outr
JR:
Yes, the frog is what that’s called. Guard rails against the opposite rail rub the backs of the outside wheel and prevent the inside wheel from striking the point of the inner small “v” in the frog, and derailing.
First, make sure there isn’t a little piece of gravel in the flangeway.
Other than that, it sounds like either of two things are happening here:
-The guardrail is too close to the “stock rail” (outside rail) and is pulling the wheels too far over, and the inside wheel is climbing the outer V of the frog. This will also happen if wheel gauge (spacing) is too small.
-The guardrail is too far from the stock rail and is allowing the wheels to climb the inner V of the frog. This can also be caused if wheel gauge is too large.
Since it’s happening at all switches, I’d first check the wheel gauge. The NMRA sells a sheet-metal gage for this purpose. You can also look up the range at the NMRA website, and use a vernier caliper. I would get the NMRA gage, which has other tabs and notches for checking various other important measurements.
Standards for N:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp12_7.html
General standards page (good place to wear off some of the newbieness):
http://www.nmra.org/standards/consist.html#standards<
Thanks will visit a hobby store tomorrow and pick up a N scale gauge. I’m hoping it is simply a problem with the test car wheels as the problem is occuring at all the turnout frogs.
John
Are saying that the wheels’ flanges are riding up and over the flange-way, lifting the wheels off the rail-head ?
If so, (presuming your wheels and track are all within proper guage) the problem you’re experiencing could be the result of one or both of the following…
- The flange-way itself is too shallow (this can be true even with brand-new-fresh-from-the-factory turnouts); and/or
- The wheels’ flanges are too large (pizza-cutter style).
To correct the first, take a very small file and file the flange-way deeper.
To correct the second, change your wheels for the low-flange type.
Proper car weights will also help.
Yes you’ve described what is happening exactly and I think you’re on to something. The testing car with metal wheels seems to have VERY large flanges and there is a marked swinging of the car when traversing the turnout. The other testing car with the plastic wheels has small wheel flanges and moves hardly at all but still seems to ride up on the railhead also. I really think that I have both problems you describe and will try to deepen the flangeway with a small precision needle file.
John