https://blog.model-train-help.com/2018/12/engine-problems.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=engine-problems Model railroads and model trains Fri, 04 Jan 2019 03:03:59 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://blog.model-train-help.com/2018/12/engine-problems.html#comment-26423 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 03:03:59 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5042#comment-26423 Mark,
Start with the easy stuff. First, check the track. Are all joints smooth? Are there any joints where one side of the track has ridden up over the joiner?
Next look at the couplers, make sure they move freely and return to center. Check that the trucks move freely and that all 4 wheels are in contact with the track at all times. If necessary loosen the trucks to allow for some movement left to right.You should be able to rock one truck slightly and the other should be just tight enough to prohibit rocking.
There are recommended weights for rolling stock. For HO it is 1oz plus a 1/2oz for each inch of car length. Train set cars are probably under weight. Adding weight should be done in such a manner that both trucks carry the weight equally.
Check the wheels. Do they turn freely? Plastic wheels are prone to more issues. They collect dirt quicker than metal. Make sure the wheels are clean.
If none of this resolves your issue then you are looking at more expensive options such as metal wheel sets and possibly different trucks. Changing the couplers for Kadee couplers.
My first model railroad was built on Bachmann E-Z track (steel) and it functioned well for years. Since you don’t seem to be having problems with erratic locomotive travel that should be ok.

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2018/12/engine-problems.html#comment-25435 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 14:24:06 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5042#comment-25435 Trains aren’t slot cars. Slow down. Ensure couplers move freely. Change them to Kadee style if you are into having a layout other than around a Christmas tree. Make sure your track is level going into turnouts.

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2018/12/engine-problems.html#comment-25420 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 00:04:40 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5042#comment-25420 If the problem is what you say it is, it may be that the screws holding the couplers on are too tight, not allowing the couplers to swing as freely as they should. Start with doing only the loco and see how it goes, that may be the only ones you need to do, but check the ones on the rolling stock too if they seem stiff. Being as you bought it second hand someone else may have gone through them and torqued them a bit too tight. If that doesn’t help, consider installing different couplers. Have you tried pushing the stock through the turn out with the loco? How did that go?

]]> https://blog.model-train-help.com/2018/12/engine-problems.html#comment-25416 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 23:52:10 +0000 http://blog.model-train-help.com/?p=5042#comment-25416 Hi Mark
There is a number of reasons why this happens the wheel sets can be out of gauge the turnout is to sharp the plastic wheels could be untrue the trucks could be trying to turn to much and catch on the body of the car if the coupling on the engine is body mounted and the coupler on the car is truck mounted or vise versa the turnout may be to tight in the frog ie not enough room for the wheel flange or all of the above. Some of their cheaper sets are not that good. to fix the problem i would change all the track to Peco and use long radius turnouts however this may not fix your problem.

]]>