Hey All, Was running my MTH 2-8-0 steam engine today and noticed that on occasion the pilot truck wheels seems to be jumping my Lionel Fastrack 048 switches. I slowed the engine down to see exactly what was going on and found that in one instance that as the engine comes around a curve before going through the switch the pilot truck wheels seemed to still be turned as if it where on a curve but it is actually going straight. Greased them up alittle bit but still seems like it is an occasional issue. Any thoughts on what I can try to do to correct this problem? Thanks for the help. -Kevin
I had some wheel jumping and sparking problems on an MTH 2-8-0 of my own, but not on switches. The fix was ridiculously simple, the pilot assembly screw was WAY loose, tightening it solved the problem. Also, there should be a pressure spring on the pilot assembly, make sure it’s not missing.
You may want to eyeball those Lionel switches as well. There may be some component on them that doesn’t bother Lionel engines but causes problems with others. Sounds nuts but it can happen.
Firelock76 thanks for the advise. I know the spring is there; but i will definitely try tightening that screw. I’ll check the switches out too. Thanks again. -Kevin
You’re welcome Kevin! An additional thought, those pilot wheels MAY be slightly out of gauge, that is set a little wider than they should be. Check that too.
Wayne
Does it derail when the turnout is set to the tangent or to the curve or to either? If it derails on the curve, is it to the inside of the curve or the outside?
Lionelsoni, It seems to happen going into and going straight. But than on other times it’s just fine. It’s got me stumped.