Train jumps track

Kevin Anderson Dec 27, 2013

  1. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Ok I am not a Lionel guru by no means. We got the Lionel hogwarts express for Christmas and the loco doesn't like the O-36 curves that came with the set. It jumps the track at low speeds, high speeds, pulling cars and going light. Is it the track or is it the loco? I have a polar express train from years ago that has no problem with these same curves.


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  2. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Diesel or steam engine? New or used? Was everything packaged together like a train set? I have no idea what a "hogwarts" is. Check the gauge of the wheels to make sure you don't have one that is tighter against the rails then the others. Simply push in on the wheels to see if one snaps back into place. Also, make sure you haven't kinked the joints on the track. Make sure your curves and straights have a smooth transition one from the other. The 0-36 is similar to HO's 18 inch radius curves. Still fairly tight even for Lionel. Upside, if the train you have came as a packaged set, the locomotive is designed to run on the tight radius curves.

    Sent from my HP notepad and you won't find me using any of those cellular type gizmo's. I don't tap to talk. I type as on a keyboard.:rolleyes: Grin!
     
  3. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    It's a steam engine. Hogwarts express is the Harry potter train. It came as a set.


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  4. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Let's see. If I recall, the Polar express is a 2-8-4? Hogwarts is a 4-6-0? If the former will run on that track, I'd believe so should the latter.

    The Hogwarts pilot truck does not bind? Track is not slightly tight gauged for some reason? The wheels on the Hogwarts gauged properly? Does it jump anyplace? Or one particular spot?
     
  5. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    So far what I have noticed is the pilots jump off and occasionally the rear drivers. It seems
    To happen when the loco starts to tip
    From the weight of it. If that makes sense.
    I run it in reverse and it doesn't jump the rail where it does in forward.


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  6. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Here is a pic of what it looks like right after it derails

    [​IMG]



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  7. LegomanBill

    LegomanBill TrainBoard Member

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    From what it seems, the loco might be a little too top heavy. However, I do find that odd, as I have used this set before and I do not recall it having these issues.
    One thing I would suggest to do is to call Lionel and see what they say.
    (I find that even weirder that it does it in forward but not reverse.)
     
  8. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    I know, it seems to be the pilots and rear drivers.


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  9. BarstowRick

    BarstowRick TrainBoard Supporter

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    Don't know what to tell you.

    From the looks of things track is ok. Have no idea about the wheels. Suggesting you check them to see if they are properly gauged.
     
  10. Keith

    Keith TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've actually got the same set. But, I don't recall running
    it on the track that came with the set! I'll have to see if I
    can get my set put up and try it and see if I have any of the
    same type of problem. Does sound like a possible gauge problem.
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This almost seems to point toward tight radius track. But you said this track came with the set?
     
  12. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, the O36 track
    Came with the set. I wondered if the radii was too tight as well. But it is wierd that it runs ok in reverse.


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  13. LegomanBill

    LegomanBill TrainBoard Member

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    Another thing could be the spacing between the axles on the pilot truck. On this loco, they appear to be a little further apart than on other Lionel locomotives that can run on O-36 curves.
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    This could indicate the pilot truck motion design is a problem with that radius.
     
  15. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    I am thinking of picking up some O48 if available and try that out.


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  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    How difficult would it be to drop the pilot truck off, and see how it runs, without it?
     
  17. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    I blew it up, lightened it up, looked at it.
    The inside drivers look to be about 3/8" off the track.
    Never having had one of those engines, but have a lot of old Lionel, we seem to have an issue with the pilot truck.
    Something is bent, loose, or misassembled.
    It looks like the rear wheels of the pilot truck are jammed up against the lead driver.
    The recommendation to remove the pilot truck is sound.
    Do it and report back.
    Then we need to ask, how is the lead truck attached? Rear bolt/pivot? Centre? If center, could the truck have flipped around?
    How about a photo of the underside, especially front truck and front driver area?
    Dave hogwarts.jpg
     
  18. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Dave the center drivers don't have a flange so it will take the curves. I won't be home until late Sunday night. I will get some more photos then. I will take a closer look at the pilot wheels and see what they are doing as well.


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  19. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    Not sure where center drivers entered the picture. I was looking for the pivot point of the lead truck.
    Is the truck like the old 665/2055/2065 series baby Hudsons, with a slotted hole at the very rear of the truck frame, or in the middle of the truck? Is there a swinging bracket that retains the lead truck?
    Dave
     
  20. Kevin Anderson

    Kevin Anderson TrainBoard Member

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    Yes. There is one small screw at the rear of the truck holding it in place with a slot in the center area with a pin or flange that lets it slide back and forth.


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