Why will my Rock Island the rocket not go through peco and hornby radius turnouts

My train the rocket just will not go through right or left hand peco radius turnouts just keeps catching when entering the points

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Welcome on board, Jeff_Butler.

Welcome to the forum, Jeff.

What scale is your layout? I’m not an expert, but it could be that your wheels may need to be adjusted for gauge.

Peco turnouts normally have springs that keep them tightly set. It there anything that is blocking the motion of the turnouts?

Hi there. What exactly do you mean by catching? Is the engine stalling? Derailling?

Also, who is the manufacturer of your model?

Simon

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Thank you for the replies I am running a HO scale railway . When the train enters the turnouts it hits the inside part of the metal rail and will not go on. The wheels look to be the same size as my Lima Erie but it has no problem passing the turnouts. Plus is there be a manual online that I can down load that shows me how oil and clean the wheels Thanks again Jeff

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Just to add to what I wrote earlier I have worked out part what was wrong with my track, but having a look at the front set of wheels the middle pair are not line with the other pairs which is making it hard to set on the track, I can not get them to move across to be in line and do not want to take them apart. can send a photo

Photos would be helpful.

Ok, I think we can assume there is nothing wrong with the turnouts. As mentioned by John, it could be out of gauge wheels.

I suspect a problem with your trucks that prevent your wheels from sitting properly on track. If you place your loco on a flat surface, all wheels should touch the surface equally. If not, your trucks may be warped, or simply not sitting properly on the loco’s frame.

Simon

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It is hard to see with the photo but the middle pair of wheels do not line up with the others pairs, and middle ones will not move back to in up

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That sure looks like the problem.

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I am tempted to have him take the center axle out, put the truck back together, and see how it runs with the axle out. He could then check the removed wheelset to see what is keeping the wheels from being centered on the axle and set to NMRA gauge. It will be easier to do with the axle physically out of the truck.

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Something does look off about that middle axle! It appears like somehow the bearings and axle have slid sideways, out of their proper location within the truck.

The best way to solve this would be to remove the truck from the locomotive body, and then disassemble it far enough that you can re-situate the axle so that it is positioned correctly in the truck. Then, reassemble and check for any binding of the gearing or other problems. If all is well, re-install the truck in the locomotive.

If you feel you have the skillset and expertise to do this, go for it. But if you’re nervous about potentially breaking or loosing parts, or being unable to figure out how it goes back together, you may want to take it to a train store to have someone repair it.

-El

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Thank you for advice, I am not the best when taking things apart . Train stores in northern tasmania are a bit hard to find. cheers Jeff

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Considering the geography I would attempt the repair. Take a photo of every step of taking it apart and use an egg box to keep screws and parts in proper order. There is a first time for everything. Before long you will be performing engine surgery blindfolded.

If you do run into a problem you can just send in the parts and have the expert put it back together. You were going to send it in anyway so you may as well try and fix it yourself. Been there done that. :smile:

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The hardest step is removing the underplate that keeps the wheels in place. Can anyone recognize the make of this engine to provide some advice?

Simon

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It looks like it could be some flavor of Athearn or Proto 2000.

-El

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El is probably correct - I found one on Ebay that looks just like it.

So removing the underplate should be easy. Using a small flat screwdriver or x-acto, the underplate can be removed by uncliping it - clips are on each side of the plate (left-right of the engine). Just slide the blade under one side, and lift up carefully. It should just pop out.

Once the wheels are exposed, they can be checked to see if they sit flat on the truck frame.

Simon

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