 Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 695 Location: England, South Coast
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These are the M track curved points/turnouts. Why is it that the small 'guard rail' becomes loose over time? I don't know its correct name but the bit near the white arrow in my picture. When it becomes loose derailment can result. Are my old locos too heavy? Are they running too fast? Or is it simply a case of age? It is easy to rectify but I seem to have to do it quite often. However it means removing the piece from the layout which inevitable causes problems elsewhere. Any advice much appreciated.  point by dralowid, on Flickr
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,579 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Micheal This issue is very easy to correct. Those guard rails are attached to the sheet-metal ballast by two tongues going through the ballast and twisted for anchoring. Before twisting the tongues , make sure - using a Märklin wheelset that the guard rail position is correct (so that the wheel is not bumping on the ftog) ONLY THEN attach the tongues by gently twisting them a little Cheers Jean Edited at: by user 26 January 2025 21:25:28(UTC)
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 1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 695 Location: England, South Coast
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Hi Jean,
Many thanks. I am familiar with correcting the issue, as you say, it is easy once removed from the layout.
My real question is about the cause. Why does it happen?
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,509 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: Michael4  Hi Jean,
Many thanks. I am familiar with correcting the issue, as you say, it is easy once removed from the layout.
My real question is about the cause. Why does it happen? It could be for a couple of reasons. 1. The wheel flange is too thick for the gap between the check rail and the running rail. 2. The wheels on (some) wagons are too close together, so that when a wheel is in the frog of the point the other wheel is rubbing on the check rail with enough force to eventually work the check rail loose. I suspect this is the more likely scenario. The solution is to measure the back to back distance on the wheels of all your rolling stock (including locos) with either calipers or a wheel gauge and correct any that are out of tolerance.
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 Joined: 02/08/2014(UTC) Posts: 789 Location: NEW JERSEY, USA
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Vibration. I wonder if they can be soldered permanently from underneath? One can only tighten the little twisty bits so many times before the metal tears. I guess they never figured we would be playing with this stuff 70- 100 years later.  |
I love the smell of smoke fluid in the morning . |
2 users liked this useful post by analogmike
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 695 Location: England, South Coast
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Am I right in remembering that wheel spacing is 13.9mm for M track?
Are the little rails called 'counter rails'?
Not sure about soldering, they share an insulating type pad with the frog, don't want to pull more apart than needed.
From a quick check it looks as if all M track counter rails are the same size. I have a box of junk turnouts, might be worth stripping the counter rails off them for use when I break bits off the ones currently in use.
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Joined: 25/08/2012(UTC) Posts: 255 Location: South East
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In the UK they are called 'Check Rails', I don't know if that name is used in other countries.
I've had a couple come loose and I just fixed them by dribbling a drop of superglue down the edge of the check rail at the position where the tongue goes down through the base of the point. I used a good axle to ensure the check rail was in the right position before it dried. Those fixes have held firmly ever since.
Using superglue means that it can be done from above so you don't have to disturb the track. Just don't run any trains until the glue has dried.
A couple of little dabs of epoxy on the edge where the rail contacts the base would probably work just as well.
It must have been a problem that was recognised by Marklin as later points have these check rails moulded in plastic in one with the sleepers which are a bit thicker where the check rail is.
It's a nuisance but easily fixable. |
Marklin HO using M track. Now reverted to analogue as I find it has more character and is more fun...... and I understand it! |
1 user liked this useful post by Paul59
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,579 Location: Paris, France
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Originally Posted by: Michael4 My real question is about the cause. Why does it happen? Only cause: someone tried to adjust the counter-rail without doing it right Jean |
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1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 498 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: Michael4 Am I right in remembering that wheel spacing is 13.9mm for M track?
14 +/- 0.1 mm |
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 Joined: 27/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 328
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You may also fix them with hot glue. Edited by user 07 March 2025 21:44:10(UTC)
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Best regards
Martin |
1 user liked this useful post by 60904
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