Track removed from Children’s Hospital Layout after call stating USAT NW2 won’t run.
Both motor blocks were fried.

That could be true.

Also, the the taper of the wheels causes the contact near the flange first, where the wheel diameter is. Our model wheels have severe taper.

In addition, it might be that, due to conditions, the axle where the wear is greatest could have more weight on it than the other axle.

Many possibilities.

Regards, Greg

Upon looking closer, you are indeed right... (next I use a computer with a larger screen!)

Yep, the back to back must be terrible, since it's both sides... wow...

Regards, Greg

Or it could be that now one of the wheels is not turning and slipping on the axle shaft.  Later RJD

The gears on both motor blocks were stripped and we've seen this type of wear pattern over the years. I think RJD has it right, the last axle with the best gear engagement and no split hubs, cuts the deepest notch.

Chuck, I just checked the divot spacing on the track and it turns out they match the GP40 motor blocks perfectly. We fried the motor blocks on the GP40 about 3 months ago and apparently no one noticed the bad section of track. This is an overhead double tracked layout, which is suspended below the ceiling of the walkway betweeen the parking garage and the hospital and is not easily accessible. The Club does maintenance on the layout about every 3 months and we try to "walk" the track each time.

Another GP40 up in smoke? Don't tell Lewis.

Greg

Can't blame it on the GP40. One of the problems with a layout in a public environment is that no one monitors it. The trains are turned on in the morning and off at night. If there's a derailment, the engine will set there until it dies or the TE blows a fuse.

Gee wees Nick You got to give them a break once in a while.  It was an un maned train.  Later RJD