Hi i am useing HO bachmann easy track my problem is … My bachmann american 4-4-0 loco the frount set of wheels keep derailing it does not stop the train but sounds bad… what to do to fix this???
Thanks All hobojim
The pilot truck derails easily because it floats. There are two easy ways to correct this. #1 is to put a bit of weight on top of the pilot truck so that it will track better. #2 is to put a weak spring between the pilot truck and the locos boiler.
Another thing to do is run the back of a fingernail along the inside of the railhead and see if there is any snagging at the joints. If there is, dress the railheads on both sides of the snag to remove any burrs and correct minor misalignments. DO NOT remove major amounts of metal. A couple of passes with a small file, emory board or fine sandpaper wrapped around a stick should handle it.
Also check to see if the railhead has been damaged between joints. A lightly loaded truck will find any kink or gouge, use it like a ladder, and climb right over the rails.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I had this problem with My K4 from bachmann, weight it a little, it floats on the rail