I have found out the hard way that my EZ-Track #4 turnouts have a problem... The point for the curved route is straight (no curve in it at all)... B-B engines seem to be able to work OK, but C-C engines do not.
The problem is that the corresponding rail IS curved, and with the point being straight, this creates a "pinch point" in the middle of the turnout... This causes engines such as my SD40-2 to derail almost every time - even when the engine does not derail, there is an audible "clunk" as the wheels ride up on the pinch point, then drop back down...
The most obvious "solution" would appear to be to BEND the switch point to match the curve in the corresponding rail... However, initial attempts seem to risk damage to the switch. the tip of the point is only a friction fit into the plastic bar that moves the points and the opposite end is just riveted to a contact... Forcing a bend in the point risks either breaking the bar or the rivet attaching point...
?
Has anyone else had this problem...?
How did you solve it..?
The problem is that the corresponding rail IS curved, and with the point being straight, this creates a "pinch point" in the middle of the turnout... This causes engines such as my SD40-2 to derail almost every time - even when the engine does not derail, there is an audible "clunk" as the wheels ride up on the pinch point, then drop back down...
The most obvious "solution" would appear to be to BEND the switch point to match the curve in the corresponding rail... However, initial attempts seem to risk damage to the switch. the tip of the point is only a friction fit into the plastic bar that moves the points and the opposite end is just riveted to a contact... Forcing a bend in the point risks either breaking the bar or the rivet attaching point...
?Has anyone else had this problem...?
How did you solve it..?