Gold & Black Scale Polar Express Owners - Try O54/O60?

I've had experiences with a friends berkshire.  It had a couple issues with o-60 as well, but in one case it was due to an uneven spot in the curve.  The second time (on a different layout) the truck came off but didn't do it again after rerailing

I run mine on 054 curves with no issues.  I am using Gargrave track switches and tubular track in my configuration.

 

-Pete

With all of the recent threads about bad bushings closly inspect the pilot truck/bushing assembly.

 

I have the 2010 version of this loco. Out of the box the pilot truck was derailing on o-60 fastrack.

 

It turned out one of the pilot axle bushings/bearings was installed upside down causing the axle to run at an angle to the track. I removed it and reinstalled it correctly and never had another problem.

 

I suspect improper installation at the factory this time "may" be causing the breakage we're seeing in this release.

I'm using Fastrack with 060 and 072 Curves, and 060 CC Switches.  No derailing at all.  

 I agree with earlier posts...check your bushings.

I run mine over 060 and 072 Fastrack curves and switches with no problems. It did arrive with broken bushings on the front truck but Lionel immediately shipped new bushings to me, no charge.

When TM Video Productions was here this past October, Joe wanted to run my scale PE Berkshire for the video shoot together with the scale PE coaches in the Christmas in the City portion of our layout. The problem was there are only 0-42 & o-31 curves in this part of the layout other than two other tracks that just go through the GCT that are 0-72. Well we put the Berk & scale cars on the 0-42 tracks and ran it at slow speed. It made it successfully all the way around that part of the layout several times without a problem. I was really surprised.

 

I do NOT recommend this nor will I try it again, but for this one time. it worked. So I would think that 0-52 tubular curves would work just fine.

I had the same problem until tonight. I had replaced the bad bearings with new ones from lionel. I found after mine de-railed on O-60 as well, that I had not seated the new bearings properly, and that they were unclipped On the inside causing the axle to run at a slight angle. Look between the wheels and the pilot casting and see if your clips are hanging outwards. If so, re seat them with a flathead screwdriver, until the clips are flush with the pilots metal casting...then super glue them in (per Lionel's instructions) I ran mine for 30 min after that at all speeds from dead slow to maximum, left and right turns, up and down a grade all on O-60 without issue. The bearing and axle alignment was bouncing the front pilot off the tracks.... 

Thanks for this thread,

I just ordered a gold scale PE and its due to arrive Tuesday. I'll post here with my findings and let you all know.

"I just ordered a gold scale PE and its due to arrive Tiesday. I'll post here with my findings and let you all know."

 

You will love this engine. The gold paint brings out all of the details on this engine. Let us know what you think when it arrives.

I will most definitely let everyone know. I am VERY excited to be grabbing this model and the few coach cars that I also purchased!

 

i got the gold scale berk, coach, and observation car for an amazing deal from LGB Train Shop. Jim Kirk took vert good care of me over there

MIne gets around my #2 mainline.  That has mostly 60 and 54 inch diameter curves (Atlas) with two 60 inch fastrack switches.  It has no problem.