Hello, from the Foothills of Alberta

[BIG ROCK & LONETREE]

Thanks, & kind words regarding the fence, it's about 2/3 finished, & has been for 2 years, since it's not something I enjoy, artistically challenged to say the least. Maybe if spend less time track cleaning this summer I can now finish it ‍ yes I did try adding weights, flattened some old fishing weights ( yup lead! - roofing lead not particularly common in western ) had a measure of success but weight & placement seems critical & somewhat finicky. Lots of online advice,even on the Bachmann forum, about the spring/tension too but tbh there's as many saying not to touch the spring. So, plan to tackle again & this time I plan to video where & how it derails. So while things warm up, hopefully last weekend was the last of our snow, I'm inside messing around weathering a few coaches & having fun not, speed matching two different Climax versions to operate in a consist. Cheers

 

[Rhinochugger]

TBH my 4-4-0 is a hit & miss affair ... the front truck is problematic derailing spent a lot of time on grades & levelling but so easily derails. Re-gauged the wheels this winter & now maybe the weight distribution is different /batteries I've tried adding weights, even changing the spring. But I'll be tackling it as soon as I can get back outside again .. still remnants of winter here.

OK. I lied about the 4-4-0 front truck, it must have been the 10-wheeler that I changed.

My 4-4-0 still has the original mounting with the curved slot.

I think the secret is that you don't need the spring to be too stiff, and you need the metal washers either side of the curved plastic slot to ensure a smooth transition. Shouldn't need extra weight, just make sure there's no loco weight on it so that it can swing free

 

[BIG ROCK & LONETREE]

OK. I lied about the 4-4-0 front truck, it must have been the 10-wheeler that I changed.

My 4-4-0 still has the original mounting with the curved slot.

I think the secret is that you don't need the spring to be too stiff, and you need the metal washers either side of the curved plastic slot to ensure a smooth transition. Shouldn't need extra weight, just make sure there's no loco weight on it so that it can swing free

View attachment 355948

No problem, so easy to get mixed up, very nice photo - hope to be able to have things running in a couple of weeks - weather much improved & I’m past the bulk the gardening, tho still plenty to do.

 

[Gerard]

Welcome to the forum Colin.
I checked AI about your 4-4-0 problems.
See attached the results.

 

[railaddict]

Welcome to the forum Colin. I guess we're all waiting for photos.

 

[BIG ROCK & LONETREE]

Welcome to the forum Colin.
I checked AI about your 4-4-0 problems.
See attached the results.

Much appreciated & thanks for sharing - got sorta similar results myself but if I still have problems this summer plan to video & re-evaluate.

 

[BIG ROCK & LONETREE]

Welcome to the forum Colin. I guess we're all waiting for photos.

Thanks _ & so am I . AS usual there's always another job & have modified/improved my track layout & now the weather is against me.

 

[Northsider]

A belated welcome to the Forum, Colin. The only help I can offer on the 4-4-0 is to run her tender-first. There's a prototype for everything...somewhere.

That trestle is a real labour of love. Did you assemble each bent on a jig?

 

[BIG ROCK & LONETREE]

Thanks for the suggestion & yes made a jig - really helped & it’s held up nicely over 10yrs & given our harsh winters I’ve been impressed- deliberately didn’t add more cross braces (not reqd) to but give it a flimsier look

 

[dunnyrail]

A belated welcome to the Forum, Colin. The only help I can offer on the 4-4-0 is to run her tender-first. There's a prototype for everything...somewhere.

That trestle is a real labour of love. Did you assemble each bent on a jig?

Hm I wonder if converting it to that Cab Forwards loco may be an answer?