Is there a good source of info on what to do about derailment problems or is this the best place to go? I'm having a problem with one particular train. LGB passenger cars of the older "alpine" series. Should I try adding weight to the cars? should I try silicone lube on the axles? Any advise appreciated!
Derailment blues
sailbode
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It would help us if you could give us the LGB number of the car that is causing the problem. There are long and short passenger cars (even some medium lengths). I've had occasional problems with the Swiss glacier express cars. These are the longest cars that LGB made. Try backing off the screw that holds the trucks to the car. The trucks on the longer LGB cars need to be able to have a lot of movement, up down as well as left and right.
Are the cars that go around without a problem shorter than the cars that cause the problem?
If it happens on a curve what is the radius?
A little more information would help us help you.
Chuck
Are the cars that go around without a problem shorter than the cars that cause the problem?
If it happens on a curve what is the radius?
A little more information would help us help you.
Chuck
The reason that I asked which cars you have is because LGB has three different groups of cars that could be considered to be part of an "alpine series".
The smallest represent the Zillertal Bahn. This is a narrow gauge railroad in the Austrian alps. These cars are short and have two axles. The LGB Zillertal cars are about 10 inches long. My Zillertal coaches are in Arizona so I couldn't take a picture of them for comparison, they are similar in size to the car in the top of the picture.
In the 1980s LGB came out with a series of Swiss (RhB) 4 axle passenger cars. These are intermediate in size. This car LGB #3064 and it is about 18 inches long.
In the 1990s they came out with the longest Swiss (RhB) cars. The car on the bottom is LGB #30650 and it is 25.5 inches long. My guess is that this is similar to the ones that are giving you trouble. While LGB designed these to be run on all radius curves, R1 (4ft diameter), R2 (5 ft diameter), and R3, they are best run on R3 (8ft diameter) or larger. I even had trouble with mine derailing on Aristcraft 10 diameter curves. As others have said check that the track is level (across the track). Does it derail when you run the train in the opposite direction. I have found that sometimes running counterclock wise rather than clock wise will solve the problem.
You still haven't said what diameter you are using and how many cars you are pulling. Try starting out with one car and see how it runs, if it doesen't derail, then keep adding a car until you have a problem. This is the kind of information that we need to be able to help you.
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Chuck
The smallest represent the Zillertal Bahn. This is a narrow gauge railroad in the Austrian alps. These cars are short and have two axles. The LGB Zillertal cars are about 10 inches long. My Zillertal coaches are in Arizona so I couldn't take a picture of them for comparison, they are similar in size to the car in the top of the picture.
In the 1980s LGB came out with a series of Swiss (RhB) 4 axle passenger cars. These are intermediate in size. This car LGB #3064 and it is about 18 inches long.
In the 1990s they came out with the longest Swiss (RhB) cars. The car on the bottom is LGB #30650 and it is 25.5 inches long. My guess is that this is similar to the ones that are giving you trouble. While LGB designed these to be run on all radius curves, R1 (4ft diameter), R2 (5 ft diameter), and R3, they are best run on R3 (8ft diameter) or larger. I even had trouble with mine derailing on Aristcraft 10 diameter curves. As others have said check that the track is level (across the track). Does it derail when you run the train in the opposite direction. I have found that sometimes running counterclock wise rather than clock wise will solve the problem.
You still haven't said what diameter you are using and how many cars you are pulling. Try starting out with one car and see how it runs, if it doesen't derail, then keep adding a car until you have a problem. This is the kind of information that we need to be able to help you.
Chuck
I just went and looked at your site on ebay. WOW that is nice track work and that's one really nice train. From what I could see there, I doubt that it is a problem with the track. I think that it is the trucks or the wheels. These cars have a metal tire that fits over the plastic wheel in a press fit. I have had trouble with the tire coming loose and causing all sorts of trouble. It can be difficult to see unless you are specifically looking for it. Check to see that each tire is in its proper place. If necessary slip the tire all the way off and put a drop of glue on the plastic and press on the tire back in place.
One last question, is it always the same car?
Chuck
One last question, is it always the same car?
Chuck
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