Derailment problems, or is this the norm?

Marcus Amison · March 22, 2015, 07:35:55 AM

having decided to go with "N" gauge, I put together a small layout just to get the feel of N over 00 as advised by helpful members. I want to have, what I would call an interesting goods yard as well as a fiddle yard build into my final layout.
My one main frustration with the goods yard is that when I enter, everything is as should, but when I go to exit and the rolling stock is pushed by the loco, I keep getting derailments on anything other than a straight exit.
Nothing is permanent at the moment and the goods yard test layout is just sitting loose on my kitchen table. Will this derailment problem improve once the track is underlayed and secured permanently?

steve836 · March 22, 2015, 08:03:46 AM

This is certainly not the norm! You don't say what track you are using, I suspect it is Setrac which has very tight curves, but which does allow you to put it together and take it apart to try different layouts. The tight curves can give problems when propelling through pointwork especially on reverse curves. Providing you lay your track carefully running should be just as good as Orribly Overscale!

Marcus Amison · March 22, 2015, 08:15:33 AM

Quote from: steve836 on March 22, 2015, 08:03:46 AM
This is certainly not the norm! You don't say what track you are using, I suspect it is Setrac which has very tight curves, but which does allow you to put it together and take it apart to try different layouts. The tight curves can give problems when propelling through pointwork especially on reverse curves. Providing you lay your track carefully running should be just as good as Orribly Overscale!

Hi.
Thx. It is Peco Set Track. I'm only using R3 and R4 curves but the issue I'm having is over pointwork I may consider finescale if problem persists.

GrahamB · March 22, 2015, 08:24:02 AM

Set Track points are R1 (9" radius"). However, you should still be able to propel trains through them in both directions. The key is making sure the track is flat and level. If the fishplates have wear or have been roughly handled you may have joints that are not 100% straight. If so, it certainly won't help.

steve836 · March 22, 2015, 08:26:48 AM

If you are running modern stock, finescale should be good, and you will be more pleased with the result. If you have older , second hand stock you might find the code 80 is preferable, but I would recommend streamline for a permanent layout, I tend to use finescale on visible portions and code 80 in tunnel, with setrack if I need a tight curve. As an aside, finescale flexitrack is more robust than code 80 flexitrack bucause the rail in moulded into the sleepers.

Newportnobby · March 22, 2015, 11:28:24 AM

Hi Marcus,
It's very easy to create a track joint where the fishplates are not seated correctly and thus cause a 'lump' which could cause derailments. Simply running a finger along the track in both directions should let you know if there is a 'step' somewhere.
Some locos (mainly medium/large steamers) will not like set track points at all. What loco are you running please?

Bealman · March 22, 2015, 01:09:02 PM

Even with correctly laid track, propelling goods wagons over pointwork should always be done slowly, just like on the real thing. In the case of N gauge stock which are very lightweight (Peco in particular), one should exercise care.

scruff · March 22, 2015, 01:11:40 PM

just a thought.. but is it always the same piece of rolling stock that derails?

Cheers
Mark

acko22 · March 22, 2015, 01:14:56 PM

One trick I have tried that has worked for me.

If you put false loads in a wagon over a small weight it just help avoiding wagons derailing and stopping it look unsightly.

Jon898 · March 22, 2015, 01:20:38 PM

My guess is that weight (or lack thereof) could well be a contributor if not the whole reason. UK stock seems to be typically on the light side, although I've never done the maths against the NMRA standards.

Malc · March 22, 2015, 01:34:18 PM

I had a similar problem with set track and ended up putting coal loads in the wagons and some lead weights, in the form of a strip, in the coaches. The tankers, I used some liquid lead.

Bigric · March 22, 2015, 04:55:35 PM

WEIGHT (or lack of it) can be a problem here , as N gauge wagons often need a bit of extra lead (or something) to get over this problem . I bought a roll of self-adhesive window stuff(leaded lights ?) from the local DIY shop years ago to use for this thing & I've still only used about a quarter of it ! Also can be a problem with parcel vans , CCT wagons , some coaches etc etc !!! Cheers , Ric

Jon898 · March 22, 2015, 06:06:54 PM

This is the NMRA Recommended Practice:

http://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/rp-20.1.pdf

For those challenged by Imperial units, it recommends a weight of (14g + 1.7g for each cm of carlength). I don't have any UK goods stock, but I know the GraFar 57ft coaches I do have are a long way short of the 34+ grams this would recommend and that they are tricky to push around any curves or through pointwork.

PLD · March 22, 2015, 09:56:07 PM

I'd say the fact that the track is not fixed is probably the main issue. The slightest knock will push things out of alignment so this loose 'table top' set up is hardly a fair test...

Of the previous comments, travelling speed is possibly a factor, weight is highly unlikey to make a difference in this case unless there is a massive variation in weight between vehicles...

Quote from: scruff on March 22, 2015, 01:11:40 PM
just a thought.. but is it always the same piece of rolling stock that derails?

That is a sensible question...
If it is the same one or two vehicles that derail each time it is almost certainly a problem with those vehicles.
If all (or most) items of stock derail, it is more likely to be trackwork related.