I am new to building a model train setup so please bare with me with some of the questions I know I'm going to ask. Here is one of my first major problems.
I have two left turnouts and two right turnouts connected together so as to connect an inner track and an outer track. When I run the train different cars derail. I'm having a very hard time figuring out what is happening. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to put this together on a 4 X 8 layout for my two kids. The frogs are plastic.
These are the turnouts I'm using.
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=194
Product Code: 44561
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=195
Product Code: 44562
Thanks for any help.
I am fairly new as well but I have been doing some research for a new layout. What you are trying to make is a Crossover (see #44575 or #44576). The derailing is caused by the "s" curve that the two switches make. The crossover has a slighter turn into a straight section. The general rule is 9" of straight between opposing turns. I have learned a lot just by reading the others post! Hope this helps.
Do I need to purchase these crossovers?
#6 Remote Crossover Turnout - Right
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=172
#6 Remote Crossover Turnout - Left
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=173
Thanks for the response.
QuoteDo I need to purchase these crossovers?
Yes, those would create a much more ideal situation less prone to derailments. The #6 crossovers by Bachmann would enable you to crossover at higher speeds and with longer locomotives and cars.
One piece of straight track between the two turnouts certainly would be a lot cheaper. It will alter the inner track though.
Clif
Although it would be cheaper to use a 9" straight, if you are running cars or locomotives greater than about 80' then you may still have problems and going in reverse will not help the situation.
What turnouts do you currently have standard turnouts (18" radius), #4, #5, or #6?
Quote from: ABC on January 13, 2010, 01:59:42 PM
What turnouts do you currently have standard turnouts (18" radius), #4, #5, or #6?
I need to check tonight but I believe they are 18" radius #5.
It can't be both 18" and #5.
Does it look like this (standard turnout (18"))?
(http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products/images/uploads/44561.jpg)
like this (#5 turnout)?
(http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products/images/uploads/44565.jpg)
or like this (#6 turnout)?
(http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products/images/uploads/44134.jpg)
(Reminder to self Bachmann does not make #4s)
It is the first one. The 18 inch. I have to go for a while but I'll check this site tonight when I get home. Thanks for all the help.
That's alright. Any ways what is your longest car or locomotive? As long as it around 60' or less you should be fine with just adding a 9" straight.
Now if you have one of these (which happens to be one of my longest cars) then you'll definitely want to go with #6 crossovers. Per Atlas it says the minimum radius is 24", but 28" for appearance. On my layout luckily I have a minimum radius of 24", but my minimum is about 30" on all my mainlines. For some reason I'm attracted to the longer rolling stock.
(http://www.atlasrr.com/Images/HOFreightCars/hoartauto/6331-2TQ.jpg)
*Image is the property of Atlas Trains and I am not claiming it as my property.
I am still having problems even after adding a nine inch straight piece on the turnouts. I have ordered the crossovers as suggested. I do hope it works.
Here are some pictures. Please over look the mess. I keep trying different trains on the layout. The small Thomas train does well on the turnouts.
You can click on the thumbnail pictures to see it larger.
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6390Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6390Small.jpg)(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6391Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6391Small.jpg)(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6392Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6392Small.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6393Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6393Small.jpg)(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6394Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6394Small.jpg)(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6395Small-1.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6395Small-1.jpg)
(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6397Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6397Small.jpg)(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6398Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6398Small.jpg)(http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/th_IMG_6399Small.jpg) (http://s147.photobucket.com/albums/r286/cleglue/Trains/?action=view¤t=IMG_6399Small.jpg)
Maybe the 18" radius was too sharp, are you curves 18" radius or larger (ie 22")
The curves say 18" R 30 degrees on the bottom of it.
Again I'm a newbie to all this. Thanks for all your input...it is greatly appreciated.
I hope to find a track setup that my kids will like and have fun with. When I find a good layout I hope to make it permanent so we can build the scenery. I was wanting two loops so that they can run two trains at the same time.
This has happened to me a couple of times. On the pictures of the derailed cars, were the cars headed towards the camera?
Quote from: cglue on January 14, 2010, 07:06:38 PM
I was wanting two loops so that they can run two trains at the same time.
Did you want the two trains to be powered by the same power supply? If they are, they will go the same speed, and a little slower than running just one at a time. If you want the two trains to run off of their own power supply, then you will have to find isolators. I can suggest this website for the lowest prices I've seen. http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y
here is mine with 2 #6 crossovers (http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb165/nitroburnr/IMG_8262.jpg)
Quote from: cglue on January 14, 2010, 07:06:38 PM
The curves say 18" R 30 degrees on the bottom of it...
I am trying to put this together on a 4 X 8 layout for my two kids...
Here's the problem, I was going to suggest that you build an inner oval using 22" radius track and an outer oval with 24" radius track, but then you'll have trouble getting it to fit.
But the regular curves are not causing you any problems right? If the 18" radius curves are okay I suggest you leave the curves and just take out the crossover and power the two loops separately, unless you really wanted a crossover in which case go with the #6 crossovers.
ABC...the 18" curves do fine it is the turnouts that give the problem. I've ordered the crossover which are suppose to arrive Tuesday. I would like to be able to switch tracks.
Tonight I was able to run the train set that came with the original Atlas set with just about flawless problems. The 9 inch straight is still in the turnouts. I kept adding a car at a time and found one of my southern hopper cars go straight and derail. The track also has some bounce in spots because it isn't fastened down yet and this cause one particular car to come uncoupled.
IndianaJones12 I'm not sure what I'm going to do about isolating the tracks or just run both at the same time. I have only put a little thought towards that. Right now I'm have just been thinking about a track layout that the kids can have fun with...or a least their DAD can ;D. Yes, the derailed car should have been coming toward the camera.
full maxx......thanks for the picture.
Thanks again guys for your input.
There it is! I had seen FM's picture on another thread and thought you might like to see it. I am glad he posted again. Question is how long of a car does he run and does he have any derailments?
the biggest engine is the Berkshire and the NYC explorer set passenger set cars , and they don't like the 18 but they will take it most of the time
I posted this on the wrong thread last night...this is where it should go
The crossovers came in yesterday. I took the other turnouts out and added the crossovers to have twin tracks like full maxx. All the trains I have put on the tracks work great going through the crossovers. Thanks for all the input.