Sudden Derailment! Really???
Question
I have a dilemma that has perplexed me and I’m hoping someone can shed some light on it. My layout is set up as a continuous running “double/triple” oval with a small yard and a few industries when I feel like doing some switching.
Lately, I’ve just let my trains run around the track while I enjoy the fruits of my labor. They’ve probably ran around the track multiple thousands of times over the last few months and then out of the blue my locomotive derails at a relatively straight section of track., and 5 minutes later a boxcar derails at a different place.
There was nothing on the track that would cause it, and it hasn’t done it since then. So, my question is: what would cause these derailments that occur out of the blue?
Answers ( 3 )
How often do you clean your track? And have you checked your couplers or tried different rolling stock to help narrow it down?
I clean my track thoroughly once a month. I’m not sure what I’d be looking for on my couplers. If they’re lining up correctly and not uncoupling I’m assuming they’re good. I lowered the fulcrum arm on the Tortoise switch machine hoping that would apply a little more pressure to the wire holding the turnout open. It seemed to help. No derailments yesterday from the finicky culprit.
This post should help:
How to stop derailments