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Post by arsenix2001 on Apr 28, 2018 10:52:24 GMT -5
Anyone else have issues with the sd70ace being extremely sensitive to elevation changes in trackwork? Like if there is the slightest irregularity in the track, the loco will come to an immediate halt spinning its wheels even unloaded. The es44 and gp38 sd45s etc seem to navigate the same track just fine. I ended up selling most of my sd70’s upgrading to the 44ac due to frustration but would like to keep at least one or two for some modern emd power on the layout.
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Post by ugeesta on Apr 28, 2018 12:05:46 GMT -5
That’s odd. I have several SD70Ace engines and all word fine except one CSX. In the forward position at the lead locomotive, it works fine. As a second running backwards it has issues and derails. Maybe your loco has a similar issue. Try turning it around and running it.
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Post by jhrailroading on Apr 28, 2018 22:56:28 GMT -5
Mine slip out similarly, on steep grades and even in turnouts. I've always attributed this to dust, excessively steep grades (which mine are), and poorly designed frogs that don't allow the flange to pass through freely. The fact that your ES44s traverse the same track uninhibited is strange.
-Jason
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Post by markm on Apr 29, 2018 9:12:02 GMT -5
If it helps, I run all my locomotives are through an incoming inspection on a test track. This inspection consists of running the loco forward and reverse through turnouts, "S" curves, super-elevated curves, turnouts and even a misaligned rail, at various speeds. With a sample size of one (WP heritage unit) I had no problems with the SD70Ace.
You haven't gone into much detail, so it's a bit hard to advise. I would point out that of all the locomotives mentioned, the SD70ACe has the longest locomotive wheel base and should be expected to be the most sensitive to layout irregularities.
Mark
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Post by boxcarwilly on Apr 29, 2018 9:57:21 GMT -5
I have had that problem with a couple of mine. On closer inspection I found that they were getting snagged on obstructions in the track. In one instance, a straight pin which I use to hold the tracks in place, was up just a little bit to far and snagging the bottom of the truck. Pushing it all the way down to the track bed solved the problem. In another instance I found that the points on a couple of my turnouts were catching the wheel flanges and causing the engines to stall and slip. I ended up replacing the turnouts so now those locos run freely over them. In as far as grades, I don't have a problem with any of my ES44's managing any of my grades, but all of mine are no more than 2%. Of course the steeper the grade and the heavier the load, you'll come up against some issues. This holds true for all Z scale engines. They only have so much power.
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Post by BAZman on Apr 29, 2018 22:36:48 GMT -5
Check: - Plow (front and rear). Many *just* clear the rails and can either stop or lift the loco.
- Underneath, for anything catching.
- mid idler wheel.
When it stalls, get a flash light and stare at the front and back trucks for the wheels spinning. If they are spinning, note (mark) that exact spot where the center idler wheel is. Remove the locomotive. Is that location a track joint? Is it at a transition point of a grade? (especially top of grade where the next piece of track will go 'downward', leaving the truck lead axle dangling and then the unpowered idler left to do a balancing act. If not a joint, get a straight-edge and that trusty flashlight or lamp, placed behind the straight edge, so you can see how flat (inline) your track work is. |
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Post by zscalehobo on Apr 30, 2018 13:53:32 GMT -5
Which track manufacturer?
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Post by ztrack on May 1, 2018 6:30:56 GMT -5
Check also the contacts and the trucks. The pickups from the trucks can catch between the chassis contact strip and the body. Or what is more common, the contact strips on the chassis can shift out of place. The topic was covered in the May/June 2017 issue of Ztrack. So check your back issues! www.ztrackmagazine.com/product/may-june-2017-volume-23-3/The article was specific to the SD70ACe, but also applies to the ES44AC. Rob |
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Post by arsenix2001 on May 1, 2018 8:42:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the tips guys. It definitely comes to a dead stop and spins where it hits any mild high spot such as a track joint. It is rohukan track. It absolutley hates navigating through a double turnout. Im focusing on fixing track spots one at a time and it did infact have the pick up tabs out of place which I have since corrected and it has helped. Will keep plugging away at it.
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Post by arsenix2001 on May 2, 2018 22:24:03 GMT -5
Check: - Plow (front and rear). Many *just* clear the rails and can either stop or lift the loco.
- Underneath, for anything catching.
- mid idler wheel.
When it stalls, get a flash light and stare at the front and back trucks for the wheels spinning. If they are spinning, note (mark) that exact spot where the center idler wheel is. Remove the locomotive. Is that location a track joint? Is it at a transition point of a grade? (especially top of grade where the next piece of track will go 'downward', leaving the truck lead axle dangling and then the unpowered idler left to do a balancing act. If not a joint, get a straight-edge and that trusty flashlight or lamp, placed behind the straight edge, so you can see how flat (inline) your track work is. Thank you for the sage advice. I definetely found the culprit tonight. The stalling is rediculous. Granted my track has a few bumps but the killers are the rukuhan turnouts. Either way it is the mid idler wheel high spotting for sure. It has absolutley zero play and is almost lifting the powered wheels off of the track. The es44 idler has tons of wiggle room and the sd45 has some as well but a much more flexible truck. The gp38’s and 30’s cruise just fine. Any solutions to the idler wheel? Wallow out the axle point? Im at a loss for ideas here. |
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2018 9:24:24 GMT -5
I think You are right when You write that Rokuhan turnouts can sometimes cause issues ... Look at the moving part : both sides are "straight", one should be "round", parallel to the outer rail of the deviant track ; so, when in "deviant" position, almost in the middle of the moving part the width of the track is less (maybe than the norm of 6.5 mm) ; my MTL GP9 has a problem, too : when running over a Rokuhan turnout in deviant position, the wheels lift about 1 mm ; and if I push it while holding it down, I can feel that it jams. My other AZL locos seem to have a "margin", but the wheels of the MTL chassis are "wider" with less tolerance. Maybe that the wheels of Your loco have a similar problem of "excessive width" ?
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Post by arsenix2001 on May 5, 2018 21:30:38 GMT -5
So just an fyi. It 100% is the idler wheel. I took a micro drill and doubled the opening vertically on the brass pickup plate for the idler wheel and now my sd70ace runs great, hopping over any obsticle with ease. Pulled the plate on my es44 and noticed the idler opening had already been enlarged from azl indicating to me at least they knew this was an issue. Id like to get some more sd70’s and hoping rob can send me some new or spare plates. Happy its working now!
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Post by jhrailroading on May 6, 2018 9:27:44 GMT -5
That is good to hear that you got it fixed. I will try this on my own SD70Ace.
-Jason
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