I am looking for a track gauge, I have run my HO scale for the first time since I made it almost 5 times larger. I have one place in a curve (made from fles track about 22’’ R) that the loco will derail as it rolls in the uphill direction, it runs fine going the other direction. There are no joiners where it derails and I cannot see a thing wrong. I am not going to do anything until I get a track gauge. Will the samoe tool work on the track as well as the wheel sets? Also where do I find one I looked at Hobby Link and they had nothing.
Mike
There is an NMRA guage that has track as well as wheel guage slots, they make them in HO and O so get the right one. Most hobby shops carry them.
Anyone know where to get a track gauge on line?There isn’t a hobby shop for well over 100 milse from here. Thanks Mike
Some other things you may want to check; does this happen with all your locos? I had the same problem myself, first learning that it happend with only one of my locos (trucks didn’t move freely) and then finding out it was the track too. I had to replace about a 6ft section to finaly get it right because the radius was all wrong (too long)and my bench work needed some work too(not level). Do yourself a favor and be sure to eliminate all the possiblities while your goin in. It turned into quite a mess before it was over but I finaly got it fixed. Here on the outside loop.
Yeah! Making adjustments to the benchwork after the track is on can be a royal pain in the caboose.
The NMRA sells gauges through their online store - http://www.nmra.org/
Enjoy
Paul
There are other gauges. The kadee coupler height gauge has a 3-point gauge on the bottom – not sure about accuracy. Other companies have made them through the years.
A vernier caliper will do too, and you should be able to get one in the nearest hardware store. Set it to 16.5mm and rub it along the inside of the rails. (problem with handle, maybe.)
Sometimes when we lay track it will flex a bit and roll out or in. If inward it is like the protoype and helps keep it on the track. If outward it will through it of the track as the flanges climb up the rail.
Another idea is that the wheels are out of gauge.
Also when the track was laid it may have kinked a bit and be out of gauge [as you suspect].
If it only happens say in the winter or summer only then it is seasonal and it means that the rail is expanding or contracting. Then you will have to put in gaps and insulate them. Don’t forget to add feeder wires to the new area so you have electricity in the rails. If the rails have been soldered too long or when laid, were laid too close and “perfectly” then heat or cold will cause them to move and pushed or pulled out of alignment.
Just a thought
Check ebay.