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Derailments A Common Problem
Derailments are a common problem for model railroaders and many of the likely causes and solutions have been widely covered in the Model Train Help Ebook and on this blog over the past year or so. Here is the most recent question submitted on the subject:
“When my engines and certain cars come to a switch track (it doesn’t matter which one
right or left turnouts) they derail all the time. I am very frustrated and wondered if another person reading this could give me some advice please?”
To help this reader you can submit your thoughts using the green Comments & Feedback link below. We encourage readers to help each other and participate in this discussion.
3 Responses to Derailments A Common Problem
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The first thing you should probably do is check your locomotives and rolling stock to make sure all the wheels are in gauge. If the derailment occurs at all switch points this is the likely problem.
If the derailments occur at only one or two turnouts, the turnouts themselves could be out of gauge. In that case they will likely need to be replaced.
I have had simmulair problems.There are several factors that causes derailments.One is to see if any debrie in the frogs.I take a small flat head screwdriver to clean the rerailers on the switches.The other is the points on the switches. Some times the points are not lined up propperly.Take a peice of fine grain sandpaper and file the tip of the points.Be sure not to file down to much. and like Larry said it could be the wheels. Check the flanges for any damage.Just a little nick in the flange can cause a derailment.Hope you get your trains up and running again.
I have a problem with my HO cars and engines; these are the ones that have magnetic couplers that are too low to the rail, so when they go over a switch they hit the frog and points; I solved this by very carefully bending up with 2 needle point pliers to avoid breaking the magnetic coupler; hold the the metal hook close to the cuopler with one pair of pliers and bend up the tip with the other pliers; if you did this right, the tip of the coupler that is lowest should be about 1/16″ above the frog; Ron