jbzzz
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by jbzzz on Nov 19, 2017 6:43:21 GMT -5
I've finally laid some track and was excited to test my new tri-level autoracks (91xxx-x) but got disappointed. The couplers on them don't hold together very well it seems and this is already when pulling only 4 of the 10 I bought :-(
I do have a bit of a blimb on a curve which I guess adds to this problem but I wonder if it's only me or has anyone else noticed the same? A big part of running american trains are having long sets pulled by multiple engines.
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Post by ztrack on Nov 19, 2017 10:31:03 GMT -5
What is the radius of the curves? These are long heavy cars. The broader the curves, the better you will be, especially when running long trains. I recommend running 220mm and above for the best chance to pull long strings of these cars. If you have any issues with track, such as the flaw on the curve, you will likely have issues. Look at correcting the track work. I run long strings of these cars on Z Bend Modules without difficulty. But the curves are closer to 275mm on the outside.
Also grades will hamper performance. Again, these cars are very heavy. Any grade will add strain to the couplers.
One I idea you might want to explore is to strengthen the coupler arm. The coupler arms are long flat pieces of plastic that can flex slightly. Adding a little bracing to the arm will reduce the flex and create a more rigid coupler. I have not tried this, but it seams like a sound concept.
Rob
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jbzzz
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by jbzzz on Nov 19, 2017 12:17:17 GMT -5
Hi Rob, it was on a 195mm curve so It might just be too tight then. Will see what I can do about the couplers but might have to go for shorter sets of cars or mix them up in another way.
Thanks for answering.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Nov 19, 2017 14:49:24 GMT -5
I do have a bit of a blimb on a curve Most likely, this is your issue. The autoracks and 89' flat cars both have exceptionally long arms between the truck and the coupler. This means that any little bump on the track can cause the arm to go up or down quite a bit due to the lever principle at the end of the arm. It can also happen if you suddenly go up or down a grade. I actually use our 89' flat cars to test my track work. If they stay coupled, then I know I did it right.
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jbzzz
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by jbzzz on Nov 19, 2017 15:46:46 GMT -5
Blimb was supposed to have been "climb" but yes, that's probably the issue. It looks like I do have space enough to change the 195mm to 220mm so I'll start by giving that a go.
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jbzzz
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by jbzzz on Nov 19, 2017 16:16:59 GMT -5
Right, made a quick test on my outer track and that worked fine. One loco (SD70M) pulled 5 of the tri-levels up my climb so now I just need to rebuild the inner track but that's for tomorrow. I think that also one of the trucks was a bit loose so I tightened that while testing as it was that car that constantly failed me. Tomorrow I'll try with more cars to see if there's a limit for my track.
Thanks again Rob for pointing me in the right direction.
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Post by tjdreams on Nov 19, 2017 19:13:31 GMT -5
Check and Re check your track work. More often than not improper track work is the problem. If you have a incline make sure the transition from flat to inclined track is gradual. A sudden transition from flat to inclined track especially on a curve can cause the problem you described.
Example; take 2 pencils and lay one flat on your desk now lay one end of the other on top of the first one. Creating a "T" Notice how high the end of the one on top is off surface. Now holding one end of the pencil on top to the desk and slide it forward over the other one creating a "X" Notice how much higher the other end is now.
This is exactly what is happening to your couplers as one car enters or leaves a incline or decline and the next one is still on the flat area. One coupler is simply lifting up higher than the other causing them to uncouple. Being on a curve only makes things worse as it creates additional resistance (drag) and can increase the miss alignment angle. The fix is to have longer gradual transition to the incline. This will help keep the couplers closer to the same elevation instead of one low like the "T" and the next much higher like the "X"
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jbzzz
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by jbzzz on Nov 20, 2017 16:21:33 GMT -5
Re-built the track today to an inner radius of 220mm and it made a huge difference, pulled all 10 cars today :-)
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Post by ztrack on Nov 20, 2017 21:17:36 GMT -5
Excellent!!!
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