Hello,
I am almost done putting all the tracks down for my Atlas N-18 layout. Please take a look at my web page: http://moshken.smugmug.com/
Before gluing the tracks I am testing to see if the trains run smoothly on it. I found out:
Some locos run very smoothly alone with no cars behind while other locos stops here and there. I need to pu***hem a little to keep moving on.
When I add cars to the locos, the cars start derailing one after another and at times the whole trains goes on with no problem.
It does not happen on the same place.
Now my question is this common and how to solve it? I am really getting frustrated by this. One day the whole thing works fine, the next day every thing derail.
So please help with your ideas and your recommendations on what to do to have a perfect alignment track.
Thank you so much.
Mo:-)
Mostly you probably need to clean the track and wheels as N-scale is easily tripped up by dirty track. Some locos run better simply because they are better designs. Most newer models offer all wheel electrical pick-up, and many have flywheels for smoother running. Try cleaning with rail zip or something similar and get yourself a track cleaning car. I have used the abrasive cars but have much better luck with liquid cleaners as the loco picks up a bit too.
Run you best loco on the entire layout and check for anything unusuall, like bumps or if the loco leans abruptly to one side. Also the cars need to be weighted properly, I go a bit on the heavy side as my trackwork was not perfect either.
Mo - Just looked over your pictures and it looks like your layout is coming along great. Nice work!
I noticed a Bachmann Northern and what looks like a LifeLike GP38 in your pictures. I’d say that these are not what I would consider smoothest or most reliable locos (assuming these are your only ones so far). They are OK, but there is much better out there. This could explain some of the problems. My Northern sputters and stalls all the time, so I hardly run it anymore. The LL GP38 is ancient in terms of technology.
Also on your layout, there are a number of fairly tight turns that a larger locomotive like a Northern would have a harder time negotiating. I’d stick to 4 axle diesel power and/or smaller steam engines.
Make sure that your freight car truck sets swivel freely and the wheels turn. Sometimes you get a bolster pin that is set too tight which binds up the truck. This would show up on tighter turns. Also, I would not use any equipment that is over 50 scale feet long because of the shaper curves.
Trouble not showing up in the same place would indicate it’s the equipment causing the trouble and not the track. Although it’s always a good idea to make sure your track is clean. It’s also equally as important to make sure your loco wheels are clean too.
Overall your layout looks great, so I’d make sure the track is clean and invest in a good quality 4 axle diesel. You might notice that things will run much smoother.
moshken, I noticed in your pictures (coming along nicely) that you are not using any thing for the roadbed other that the plywood. I model HO. and am not sure if they make road bed for N scale but I would think so. This won’t make any difference as far as electical pick up, but it could as far as derailments.
ennout