| Doesn't it just drive you crazy when your model | | | | ditch! |
| trains jump off track? | | | | The remedy? Break out the file again, and |
| I know it used to really get under my skin, until I | | | | smooth and sharpen any blunt or rough edges. |
| figured out how to stop it. It seems like I would | | | | And don't forget to double check the gauge in |
| fix one section of the track and the very next | | | | either position of the switch. |
| day the train would be falling off another one. | | | | 4. Does your rolling stock need 'couplers |
| Seriously, I almost gave up this beloved hobby of | | | | counseling'? |
| mine, but I'm sure glad I didn't. | | | | Did you know that new carriages often have |
| Most railroad model beginners only dream of | | | | unpolished couplers? Those rough couplers can |
| having the perfect, smooth running train. The | | | | cause your train to derail when they snag each |
| good news for you is that it doesn't have to only | | | | other. |
| be a dream. In fact, with just a little easy and fun | | | | But again there's an easy fix: just pull out the |
| attention to detail, your model train will be gliding | | | | manufacturer's instructions and see what they |
| along, smooth as silk. | | | | recommend for smoothing out and polishing up |
| So what are the 7 secrets for stopping those | | | | you specific make of coupler. |
| annoying derailments? | | | | 5. Weight that freight! |
| 1. You must properly fit, align and level every joint | | | | An underweight freight car might be riding |
| on your track. | | | | unevenly on the rails. As you can imagine, this is |
| Just common sense, right? You'd think so, but | | | | another great opportunity for your train to try to |
| even if model railroaders know this to be fact, | | | | jump the track. |
| you'd be surprised at how many don't do it. In | | | | By adding a little bit of weight to the car you'll nip |
| fact, improperly or just plain sloppily assembled | | | | this problem in the bud. |
| track joints are the number one cause for model | | | | Just remember, you want your cars to be |
| train derailments. | | | | balanced, so center the weight and keep it low. |
| So how do you cure these ailing joints? Simple. | | | | Follow this procedure carefully and you'll create a |
| Just slide your finger along the track. If it's | | | | stable center of gravity. |
| properly assembled, the joints will be level, with | | | | Your heart will race with excitement as you |
| barely a gap between the track sections. Some | | | | watch your train zip around tight radius curves |
| people even solder the joints, then file them | | | | without a hitch! |
| smooth. The result is a train that glides along like a | | | | 6. Your wheel sets love to rock and roll |
| cloud because any possibility of expansion and | | | | So let them! That's their job, after all. The |
| contraction of the track sections has been | | | | carriages should rock and roll over the track, like |
| eliminated. | | | | shock absorbers, to smooth the ride. |
| 2. Double check the gauge for the joints, turnouts, | | | | When they are improperly gauged, misaligned, or |
| and frog assemblies. | | | | constricted, it makes it easier for derailments. |
| If your model train is jumping its tracks, a wrong | | | | 7. 'The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil' |
| track gauge could be the culprit. | | | | And so it should be! Those squeaks, no matter |
| Is the gauge too narrow? If so, that creates | | | | how small, are telltale signs of problems to come! |
| friction, and the wheels climb up and over the rails. | | | | Even a tiny drop of light oil in the right place can |
| Likewise, if the gauge is too wide, the train derails | | | | fix up the biggest of derailment problems. If you |
| because the wheel flanges fail to span the track | | | | wheels or couplers are not lubricated properly, |
| and engage properly with the rail. | | | | next stop snag-ville and there, the whole thing |
| Does this mean you have to tear up all that track | | | | derails! |
| and lay down new sections of a different gauge? | | | | A word of caution here: remember that oil |
| Absolutely not. Just use your soldering iron to | | | | attracts dust and that will gum up the works and |
| slightly heat the rail, then reposition it to match | | | | make the problem even worse. Another thing to |
| your rolling stock carriages. | | | | be aware of: oil can also damage that slick paint |
| Be sure to do this with a light hand, and allow it to | | | | job you spent so much time on, so, when it |
| cool before running your train. | | | | comes to the lube job, a little goes a long way, |
| 3. Sharpen up those switchers! | | | | and clean up any excesses or spillages. |
| Have you inspected your switch points recently? | | | | And there you have it! |
| Or installed new ones? In either case, the switch | | | | With these seven secrets to smooth sailing (or |
| points should be sharp and smooth, not blunt, as | | | | railing, as it may be), those annoying derailments |
| blunt areas on the track will cause the wheels to | | | | won't derail your model train running fun any |
| grab, and the next thing you know, your rolling | | | | more! |
| stock isn't rolling any more, but on its side in a | | | | |