IMO Interesting to note that we had spent a fair amount of time on Weaver plastic truck cars that seemed to de-rail all the time.
As information, we (Independent Hi-Railers, Midwest Division) discovered the same situation with Weaver plastic trucks on our modular layout. We then discovered that the metal wheel sets in this plastic truck were thicker than the wheels in Weaver die cast truck assemblies. When this was pointed out to Joe Hayter (sp) of Weaver, he took note, and eventually Weaver stopped offering plastic trucks. Try measuring the wheel thickness with digital calipers, and you'll be surprised.
We noted that de-rails were usually on switches or crosses where there was channeled guides. In most cases the wheels would ride-up on the guide sections of the switch or cross and de-rail. Conclusion was that the wheels were too-close-together. We adjust the wheel set out, so that the flanges would negotiate the restricted areas of the switches or crosses. De-rails significantly decrease.
Maybe you could use an Atlas track cross as a wheel gauge, that's what we used.
Fort Pitt Highrailers
Mike CT
