hello all, first off let me thank everyone here for suppying alot off good info. I have a 11’ x 4’ layout that I am never quite happy with (if i move this over there that would be better) [:D] anyway my problem is that if we build a grade and put a switch , or turnout on the grade my steam engine ( a trix 2-8-2 dcc) will derail with the front wheels but my other two steams ( a 2-6-0, and a 2-8 2 both dc) and my deisel will not . Is this just a model problem with trix or are turn outs on grades and corners some thing to stay away from.
thanx in advance
allan
Well, most people will tell you to stay away from turnouts in grades, and or curves. But it can be done, and can be a real life saver if you havea nice plan but limited on room.
Since the other units seems to be fine, it sounds like a problem with that engine. There is usually always a reason why one engine will have fits. My suggestion will be to watch and check where / when / and how it derails. if ya cant figure it out, post it up for us to take a crack it at it.
For example: If the front pilot truck derails, try lossening the rention screw that holds it on, or mayebe add wieght to it. Or, if there is a small spring, try stretching it a little or finding one a bit longer, or stronger spring ot add more down force.
Good luck.
I was wondering about adding weight to the front trucks ,forgive me the last time i played with trains elvis was still singin in vegas [8D] , but I have no knowlege of where to start and how to do it . it will derail right after coming around a corner at the switch itself the front trucks will just bounce right over the top of the tracks every time but on a straigh it will get thru about 90 percenct of the time. tends to be a little frustrating when im runnin two or three trains at once, but its my only steam with sound (so far )so I really enjoy running it.
thanx
allan
If the front wheels are bouncing over the rails, there’s not enough downforce on them. I agree with the spring idea. Simply adding weight won’t solve this problem. The truck has to be pushed down onto the rails.
I had a problem with my BLI 2-8-2 derailing on curves. It went on for a while and I couldn’t figure it out. One day I noticed that the front set of drivers was a tad high. High enough that it was not fully touching the rail. That allowed the front pilot truck to ride high and derail on curves. I put the loco on a piece of tile and looked at it closer. The front drivers were higher than the other ones. I took the loco apart and stretched the springs a tad on the front drivers. After re assembly I put it back on the tile and all drivers were riding flush with the tile. Never had another problem with it. Just another idea to check.
Terry[8D]
I had a similar problem with my RIV 4-8-4 tender and it was suggested to me to weight the front truck. I took solder and wrapped it around the axle
worked like a charm
Could the front wheels be out of gauge. I don’t own a BLI Steamer, but I have had similar loco problems with out of gauge front wheels. This will cause the wheels to ride right up and over the tracks. Hope you get it fixed soon. Sounds like this is the Pride of the Fleet.
thanx for all the replies everyone . i dont have a gauge to tell if the front wheels are in spec so i tried the front spring approach, I adjusted it out a little and that seems to have done the trick. i ran it for about twenty minutes got my confidence up and fired up the deisel and ran them both untill the sound quit workin. somebody once told me this was fun ,… oh well sounds like its time to clean the wheels and track again[B)] thanx again I really appreciate the help,lookin foward to starting the scenery real soon