I recently bought a used locomotive 11414. It is prone to leaving the tracks, particularly at switches. At close inspections it looks like the wheels might have a smaller lip than other locomotives. Has anyone else had this problem?

Here are two more angles of the loco.

I will test more regarding which direction it runs better and comment again.

The loco derails at switches going in each direction. My other locos don't derail at the switches so it is not the switches fault. Perplexed.

The bogies move easily, no obstruction from wires.

Edited by user 10 January 2024 22:16:16(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

I’m having trouble getting a picture uploaded but all 4 traction wheels look the same as what you posted.

The 3050 and 3350/3650 Ae 6/6 have two wheelsets per bogie that are full wheels. The middle wheelsets are designed to allow the model to operate on tight model RR radii.
They are also designed to pivot to the sides so that the middle wheels stay on the rails and don't cause a derailment.

Regarding your derailment issues, is the loco prone to derailment more in one direction than in the other (i.e. slider in front or motor front)?

As there is no photo, I can't see if there are any obvious issues with your model, but here are a few things you can check:

1) Is the slider properly mounted? Is it aligned with the axles so that it is always in the middle?

2) Is the slider properly positioned so that it sits evenly and not with one side lower than the other?

3) The motor block and front bogie hold the plastic bogie housing in place using pins at the rear and the coupler screw in the front.
Make sure that these are properly inserted and that no part of the plastic bogie is interfering with operation.

4) You say that the loco derails, particularly at switches. Does this happen when the loco runs straight or when it takes the wye?

5) and my final thought... Open the model and ensure that no cables are caught in parts which need to pivot. Many times, models are opened and then closed and wires get snagged in a manner which prevents the bogie from properly pivoting.

I hope that this helps you harrow down the trouble.

If you still have issues, please post a photo of the underside of your model along with a short video of the model running over a switch in both the straight and turnout tracks.

Regards

Mike C

First thing that I noted in the photo is that there seems to be oil seepage on the bottom of the motor block.

I see what appears to be normal wear on the traction tires.

Please check the rest of the items on my list above.

Regards

Mike C

Hi Chuck,

As Mike says: The middle wheelsets are designed to allow the model to operate on tight model RR radii.
They are also designed to pivot to the sides so that the middle wheels stay on the rails and don't cause a derailment. For pivot, read play/slack in the middle axle.

I have exactly the same problem. My loco always worked a dream on the old M track. Some years back, I serviced my loco and converted it to digital. I also converted my track to C track. Since then, it has always derailed on the 24620 double slip points. After my conversion, I had put my wheels back on the middle axles too tightly, thus not allowing for any play. This caused the inevitable derailments.

It was only last night when reading Mike's post that I realised my faux pas.

I spread the middle axle wheels apart ever so slightly and she now runs a dream again. Give it a try. In fact, make sure that there is a few millimetres clearance on all wheels. Good luck, Alan

Check the wheels gauging. Depending on the type of rails you use, it should be 13.8-13.9 mm (M-track), It can be bigger for C-track. (I think upto 14.1mm, but I dont use C-track myself, so have no experience)
I.e you need to meassure the distance of the inside of the wheels flanges...

Also; Are you doing the test with or without waggons? (Maybe the trailing waggon foils the buffers...)

Also II; Are the traction tires all of the correct type and size? -They must adhere to the correct wheels diameter when installed, and should not be twisted or loose.