mth ives 3245 binds

terry,

Maybe the wheels are out of gauge. I've had similar issues with Girard passenger cars. I have the Milw Rd long hood 3245r and have no issues.

Sunrise

Fast Track is low profile rails. I have had trouble with some tinplate wheels with deep flanges. They run on the ties, not on the rails. Check to see if the wheels and rails are compatible.

The standard gauge Fastrack rails do not always line up well causing some derailments. Some cars are more sensitive to it than others. As noted above, chech the wheel gauging and also check the rail joints.

Steve

thanks will do some checking,,,,its one of the nicest looking electrics

I agree.....

you had to do that,,,,sunrise,,,show me that pix,,,i have the all black one,,,,om,that is stunning ,much better than the 381 and state cars,,,,,thanks

terry,

I have been the contributor to some of your prize possessions.. the blue nickel piper and the pink set...however...not this one buddy! . I sold this set.. Because I had two The current set is PS2. The engine sounds are scratchy but I shut the sounds off but oddly enough the horn blasts loud and clear. I have the extra diner car to match the three car set. The cars are still NIB. I plan on getting the black 1134 to pull these cars as well as these. Another picture of the 3245r for your viewing pleasure my friend.

Sunrise

When I first read this post, my immediate interpretation was that the trucks were not swiveling on the frame. I have a 3245 short hood that has diecast trucks. Between being very heavy and attached loosely to the main frame, they track very reliably. If your trucks are sheet metal, they may be light enough to climb the rails - I have several AF steam engines with light sheet metal pilot trucks that tend to "hop" on entering O-42 curves. They will derail if speeds approach warp (youthful engineers) speed. I believe flange design contributes to this problem. And obviously, the trucks must swivel freely on the frame.

I certainly agree with the previous comments that wheel gauge and the design characteristics of fast track re: flange depth should also be considered as the cause of your problem.

I put the loco on the shelf for awhile,,,so today ,,was messing around with other train stuff,,,,got it back out,,,of course was still doing the same thing,,,so,,,,i turned upside down and started to look at the screwbolts that hold the trailing trucks down,,,then it hit me,,,they were seated wrong,,,they both slanted in towards the motor,,,,not straight up and down,,,so I took them out and reseated them,,,one was abit bent,,,unbent it,,,,,bingo,,,,,,,,runs like a bat now,,,,,,,

I love success stories. 

Glad it worked out. I have the Olympian set also, but never had that issue. Also my 3243 White set has had no issues with the trucks.

Steve