testing the 2 new engines on the mainline.
Ran both engines both east and west totaling about 850' so a good test.
N&W Y-3 3-8-8-2: Ran well except one spot on a curve and only running west. Engine seemed to bind on the track. Checked the gauge and it was perfect. I used an NMRA gauge for all the wheels and they were, also, perfect. I checked the side play (movement on each frame) of the drivers and there is, virtually, none. Most brass steam has about a 1/16" of side play. I filed the inside top corner of each rail on that curve and all seems good. I've got minimum 48" curves and this engine seems to need 'all of it'.
Made a coal load for the tender. Pink foam shaped, painted black and coal glued on.
Texas & Pacific 2-10-4.
The engine shorted out on the first 48" curve. I checked all wheels and the insulated side was good. As with my usual procedure, I took off the trailing truck and it ran fine. Figured the insulated wheels were touching the frame but still shorted and right in the yard on straight track. Couldn't find anything so remove the secondary screw that is in the center of the truck (there is another screw attaching the truck to the driver retaining plate which is the usual way they are secured). There is a slot in the middle of the truck for the 2ndary screw to guide it. Only thing I can think of is the screw pierced the fire box glow LED wires and caused the short; too much work to take the engine apart to verify it but the engine worked great after removing the screw and the trailing truck tracked with no problems.
