Theakerr

A friend brought over his L1 last night and there is one set of points where the front truck continuously de-railed. None of my other locos de-rail here including the K3, WD 2-8-0 and the 2-10-0 which also have a single wheel front truck. Back to back was slightly out. Corrected it - no improvement. Put in a little lead - no improvement. The point (switch) where it derails is somewhat unique. It is a code 100 LR st right hand turnout and it is approached by a curve that matches the point turnout curve radius. The front truck just wants to keep following the curve. Did a bit of an analysis and it seems to me that if the track is level there is no way the truck can come off due to how it is held in place on the loco. However if there is the slightest hint of a gradient up to the switch rails then the loco could ride up on the driving wheels creating a bit of an inverted V and the truck will continue on its merry way. Will be doing some checking in the next couple of days to see if my track is not level. However, this set of points did pass my crude track laying test. Specifically, take a nine coach train and run the entire thing in reverse at about 1/2 speed and see if anything de-rails. Also when going backwards the rear truck de-railed at a Code 75 crossing. Beautiful runner though. Pulled 9 of my old heavy lima Mk 1's with no problem. Started and stopped so smoothly. Finally, see my post re reed switch activation. I use a lot of reed switches and this makes it a show stopper.

I like it. You are actually doing something. Will be interesting to see how it progresses, especially since I have some strong (probably distorted) memories of changing at Peterborough from the slow Grimsby to Kings Cross train and jumping on a fast express. My Father was a Station Master so he new all the tricks. I also have not so fond memories of rushing like crazy to try to catch the March train that was timed to leave about 1 minute after the train from Grimsby arrived in.

From my memory as a child, when there was always a fight between my sister and I who got the pole side (it obstructed our view), I put my poles about 12" apart. This is based on the memory that there was roughly one pole per Mk1 coach length

Ah, the infamous High Street crossing before the Bridge.

Alvin Lee - I hear you knocking