Hornby M7 consistently derails and other snags

[Guest Jack Benson]

Well,

 

This morning was a disappointment.

A socially distanced running session turned into a fault finding session with unexplained self-isolating Peco turnouts that didn't self isolate, hmmmm......

So, we tested each train in turn and found that the Hornby M7 doesn't like the fiddleyard Peco turnouts, it displayed its displeasure by derailing in each road. The culprit could be the B2B which is a rather unsurprising 12,5mm. ANYONE SUFFERED FROM SIMILAR?

By contrast, the Dukedog displayed its class by refusing to derail in each road of the fiddleyard. Every loco will spend the holidays being checked and adjusted whilst checking the layout wiring will be so much fun.

 

One comment overheard from the group, "It's not so bad, we haven't noticed any real change to our lives except we have to wear a mask" This didn't make things any better but it did give one or two the excuse not to socialise with their neighbours.

 

Stay Safe and Merry Christmas 

 

 

 

[Mick Bonwick]

51 minutes ago, Jack Benson said:

ANYONE SUFFERED FROM SIMILAR?
 

 

Me.

 

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/151137-easton-isle-of-portland/page/20/

 

 

[Guest Jack Benson]

Thanks, 

 

The fiddleyard turnouts are pinned, they will be checked and the M7’s 12,5mm B2B does not help, that will be corrected. 

 

Cheers and Merry Christmas

[The Johnster]

Apart from B2B, check that the turnouts are laid flat, and smooth to the adjoining rail sections, then make certain that the blades are closing to the stock rails correctly.  Then have a look at the flangeways and clean out any debris that has got in there (poundshop kiddies nylon bristle paint brush perfect for this job) and that all the wheels are square and true to the axle after the B2B job.  If you are still having trouble, you may need to put weight or springing to the trailing bogie, especially if this is the old Triang M7.

 

Not sure about 'pinned' turnouts, especially if they can move about even a little bit.  Pin until you have established a situation you are happy with and then pva to baseboard before ballasting.  Some locos are by nature more 'track sensitive' than others and most RTR steam outline has limited vertical and horizontal play in the mechanism, as producing proper 3 point compensation which would deal with rough track is prohibitively expensive and would probably not stand the rigours of train set use.

 

I use rail joiners (and find on my layout that the electrical continuity is fine) to ensure smooth track joins and no dog legs.

[Guest Jack Benson]

SUCCESS - the thin blade of Swiss army knife slid between the frame and wheel back with a very, very gentle twist resulted in the wheels allowing the B2B gauge to enter. The acid test of running the M7 in both directions was equally successfull, no rocking on the turnouts or derailing.  

 

A great Christmas present - now I must sort out the wiring in the fiddleyard.

 

Mick Bonwick, just out of curiosity, did you check the B2B on your loco?

 

Thanks guys.

Edited December 25, 2020 by Jack Benson
curiosity

[Mick Bonwick]

4 hours ago, Jack Benson said:

 

Mick Bonwick, just out of curiosity, did you check the B2B on your loco?

 

 

 

The very first thing checked on all 3. All fine, hence the investigation into the point - it was the only one in the fiddle yard that created the problem. Bit of a giveaway, that!

 

Good that you got it sorted.

 

[Guest Jack Benson]

Mick,

 

As stated at the outset, the M7 consistently derailed in each road and the undersized B2B was our clue. It was amazing how the performance of the loco was transformed, the cost of the gauge was more than justified.
 

Thanks for the heads up, now we need to find the wiring mistake that allows all the fiddleyard sidings to remain live.

 

Merry Christmas
 

 

 

 

[cypherman]

Hi all,

Just out of curiosity which M7 is it. I am assuming it is the new version. I mean new as I have 5 of the Triang Hornby ones in my collection and have never had this issue.

[Guest Jack Benson]

2 minutes ago, cypherman said:

Hi all,

Just out of curiosity which M7 is it. I am assuming it is the new version. I mean new as I have 5 of the Triang Hornby ones in my collection and have never had this issue.

[cypherman]

A very nice looking engine. And as I thought one of the newer ones. Not more than 10 years old.....lol