N Scale Issues need advice

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

As I stated on another thread, I am basically HO and Lionel in my hobby but my wife and I are trying N scale together, we were given a lot of rolling stock with rapido couplers and purchased a few more pieces at a train show also with rapidos to go with what we were given. we have four locos, two with truck mounted couplers and two with body mounted couplers. The two with truck mounted couplers run and pull rolling stock just fine no problems. the other two with body mounted have derailment problems pulling various cars. I have tried adding weight to the rolling stock and checked my track work to make sure it is as perfect as can be. Guys at my LHS say I should have no problems but they are there. Would changing the couplers from rapidos to something like the one Micro trains puts out help the issue or is the issue trying to run body mounted locos with truck mounted rolling stock. Have been thinking of selling the problem locos but want other opinions on this. Thanks in advance

Bruce

2

What minimum radius are you using? What are the loco types with the body-mount couplers? For the tightest curves, some combinations of loco- and car lengths and body-mount couplers will derail. Changing to MicroTrains might help, but perhaps not on the longer and stiffer engines.

3

I am running 11 inch radius track. As for locos I have a kato GP38-2 with truck mounted, and an Atlas RS11 also truck mounted. the body mounted locos are both atlas RS-1’s

4

I’ve run similar models on 11" radius track without issues, but typically with 50’ or shorter freight cars. Do your shortest freight cars derail behind the RS-1s?

5

running 40 ft boxcars and they all derail at various times with the RS1’s The other two locos have no issues

6

I wouldn’t have predicted that with 11" curves. You might try converting one of the RS-1s and a couple of freight cars to MicroTrains to see if that helps. If so, then you can go on to the rest.

In the long run, all of the N scalers I know convert to MicroTrains (or use the MicroTrains “clones” that come on newer equipment).

7

would changing the trucks be of help, I think some if not all this rolling stock is 15-20 yrs old

8

I may have it solved or somewhat better then it was, I saw some of my track work was slightly crooked and a turnout was also an offender, so I revised my trackplan, moved the turnout to a yard location and fixed the crooked track. All the locos are now pulling without a derailment. Thanks for the help.