Train derailments are a widespread dilemma for model railroad hobbyists and enthusiasts. It is extremely annoying when your model train has encountered derailments. No need to fret however, since derailments occur one time or another. If you have those small N scale trains, prevent derailments by ensuring that your tracks are properly sized and constructed.
Derailments pertain to railway accidents which can result to overturning and leaving the rails. Even when it comes to model trains, many collectors are trying to prevent this kind of situation from happening. Several causes of derailment include excessive speed, misaligned rails, collisions on the track, faults in the wheels and in the train itself, and broken parts.
Even the intermittent derailment from unwarranted velocity or other fluky causes is comprehensible. When it ensues on a regular basis at the same place, nevertheless, there is possibly something particular causing it. If you are noticing frequent derailments in your train layout, the very thing that you should do is to figure out where it is occurring. You can check whether it happens to certain cars and locomotives or your entire set of cars.
If the derailment occurred on a swerving curve, do not just routinely suppose the design of the curve is an error. The train wheels could be leaping on a nail head, for instance, which results to rocking then derailing.
N scale trains may also have issues with a certain wheel or a car part. You can troubleshoot the problem with a locomotive first, then try to add particular cars to check if one of them causes the problem at the very start.
Another probable cause is the couplers involved. If they are much lower to clear, you should switch points or other relevant parts which can cause the N scale trains to knock off the tracks. The solution is fairly simple when this occurs. You can adjust the coupler with washers or plastic shims which are typically sufficient to solve the derailment issue.
In most N scale sets, trucks can also result into major problems of derailment. This is pretty rare of course. When this case happens, usually it is the screw gripping the truck in place. It might be too tight and requires backing off a little.
Uneven surfaces also cause derailment on N scale trains. Unleveled layouts can result into rises or bumps in your track, resulting to derailments as can rails that are not that tightly and correctly secured. Many train hobbyists often encounter the issue of derailment where two tables are connected. They require to be securely attached or need to be leveled to one another to avoid any sort of derailment problems.
Another typical problem spot are switches along with the rails themselves. If you have examined your tracks and model trains, make sure that the guide rails and everything in between the cracks ad crevices work smoothly and are cleaned on a regular basis. In fact dirt and dust accumulation can pose major problems once you ignore the cleaning procedure. Whenever you test a switch on N scale trains, it will help in running a spare truck through the switch by hand to examine if you sense any shakiness.
