Curve Woes

[platypus1217]

While running my Atlas GP-35 around my layout I noticed that is slows down significantly, to almost a crawl sometimes, going around the curves ( radius = 10 in. ), even when not pulling any cars. It runs fine on straight track.

None of my other engines have this problem so I don't think it would be a problem with the track. I checked the wheels to make sure they were correctly gauged, but other then that I don't have a clue where to look.

Anyone else ever have this problem? Ideas where to look or what to fix?

 

[RobertInOntario]

I'm wondering if the loco is binding on the curves? If the GP-35 is one of your larger locos, that might be the cause. Some of my larger (longer) locos will bind a little on my tightest HO curves which are slightly less than 18" radius. Just curious, what scale are you modeling in -- perhaps N? Rob

 

[nachoman]

How far is this point from the nearest feeder wires from your power pack?

Kevin

 

[platypus1217]

Thanks for your input,


Robert,
Yes the layout is in N scale. I have a Bachmann GP-50 and an Atlas UB-25 that are about the same size and navigate the curves ok. 9.75 in. is the normal minimum radius in N scale. I was hoping it was not the curves since there isn't much I can do about them (until I move and get more space for a bigger layout )

Kevin,
One of the curves does have feeder wire at the start of it. It is not a very big layout only about 2.5 x 4 ft.

 

[baldwinjl]

Besides making sure the wheels are in gauge, make sure the trucks aren't skewed somehow, in other words make sure both sets of wheels are going th esome place. A GP-35 shouldn't have a problem, I think. maybe something binding in the truck when it turns?

 

[platypus1217]

Well I ran the engine some more and either it is crazy or I am. I was trying to get some more insight by running the engine differently, fast, slow, forward, reverse while paying attention to the different things you guys had mentioned. I would see the problem one way, switch to the other way only to find it disappeared or was much less. The upon switching back to the original way notice the same lessening.

After a little while of this the engine was running pretty normal, only slowing down in one spot a little, and not nearly as much as it was last time. Gremlins maybe? I will keep an eye on it and see if it starts acting up again when I am not trying to troubleshoot it.

 

[Pitchwife]

If running it seemed to help maybe you could set up a test track in the shape of a 9.75 in. radius circle and let it run around that for awhile.

 

[baldwinjl]

I wonder if it might have been a lubrcation issue? Maybe the grease was in there, but not distributed, and was gunking things up rather than making them smooth?

 

[platypus1217]

Yes it could have been grease. I put a little bit in there a while ago and hadn't run it that much. Hopefully it stays running smooth.

 

[Russ Bellinis]

It might have been some wires binding as well. I'm not familier with n scale, but if it uses wires from the trucks to the electric motor, they might bind on something.