I have the Berk from the PWC set that came out about a year ago. This derails at times, especially on curves. It is not a problem in reverse, and the problem appears to be with the front truck. What adjustments are possible to keep this thing on track. The front truck appears to be slightly above the rails...Thanks

Jeff Davis

Perhaps a stronger spring between the truck and the engine. That is, if the truck mounting has a spring. We have two K-Line Big Boys in which the front trucks were light on the rails as the spring between the trucks and the engines was too weak. Replaced with a much stronger spring . . . walla. Now we is trucking.

Yes it does have a spring and I figured the solution was there somewhere. I will try to find a better spring...Thanks

Jeff Davis

2 wheel pilot trucks can be a real nuisance for jumping the track, particularly on Lionel tubular switches.
I have had trouble with Lionels, MTH, etc.

Some have suggested heavier springs as above, or respacing the wheels to make them wider.

On real problem engines I have simply removed the pilot truck. That cures the issue for good, though the engine looks a little weird!

Rod

I have that problem with my engines on tubular track. I find it happens when I run too fast around curves (even my 042 curves). Slowing down until the loco gets past the curve works for me.

I have found in almost every case the problem is the front truck is out of guage. Either too wide or too narrow. Check the truck against a known good one that does not rerail.

For Lionel Tin plate O guage guys check over very carefullly the 042 curve track sections because all of the recent new pieces I have bought have been improperly bent at the factory and will squeeze the the wheels as they pass through the curves. I made a gauge out of plastic to check the inside width of track. I found every piece I had was too narrow. You have to bend the rails outward. If you look at them carefully you will see the curves are not properly bent. Whether I got a bad batch from my local hobby shop or they are all being poorly made now I do not know. This caused a hard to find problem with my locomotives slowing excessively through curves and in some cases squeezed the front trucks up out of the rails.
Rob

quote:

Originally posted by trainman713:
...The front truck appears to be slightly above the rails...

Do you mean the pilot wheel treads are not touching the rails?

Newer engines are the ones that give me problems and it is usually that the pilot wheels are too close together. I have purchased a tool that allows me to spread (or draw them closer if need be) the pilots. It has solved my problems.
Here is the product:


Rick

quote:

Originally posted by Anozira:
Perhaps a stronger spring between the truck and the engine. That is, if the truck mounting has a spring. We have two K-Line Big Boys in which the front trucks were light on the rails as the spring between the trucks and the engines was too weak. Replaced with a much stronger spring . . . walla. Now we is trucking.

I have the same problem, as Trainman713 described, w/ a Williams Challenger, and am glad for your instruction, Anozira. Thank you. (Now, I'll go look to see if it has such a spring.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Moonson,

Rick;
Where did you get that tool?
I did not see it on the Racoon Creek site.

Rod

Rod,

Here is the link: http://www.portlines.com/tools.htm. It has been a great tool and eliminated my derailing problems.

Rick

Thanks Rick;
That looks like a "must-have", along with the $38 wheel puller.

Regards,
Rod