Lionel 6-11376 Legacy NP #5000 EM-1 2-8-8-4 derails in a FT LH 072 Switch

Raven87OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I have two of the legacy EM-1s. One of them is the B&O #7609 unit and the other is this Northern Pacific #5000 (SKU 6–11376) unit.

The B&O unit I purchased used and the NP unit I bought it as new old stock. It has never been ran. This particular EM-1 is the only one that I have intermittent trouble with going through this particular FT left-hand 072 switch. All other locomotives, steam or diesel, including the B&O EM-1 can get through the switch with no issue.

But for some reason, when this switch is in the through position and not thrown, the pilot wheels SOMETIMES wants to go off to the left as if the switch had been thrown, which then will derail the locomotive because the front drivers will follow it through the open position as if you’re going straight through.

I have looked at locomotive over front to rear, lubed everything, etc. and do not see any visible problem why this particular switch will cause this locomotive this intermittent issue. But it does- sometimes.

Any idea what could possibly be causing this? Obviously there is something causing the pilot wheels to veer off course but nothing looks awry?

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7/17/244:03 PM

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ThatGuyOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Your engine is splitting the switch. Take a look and see if the switch movable rails are tight to the stationary side. On some Lionel switches the movable rail is not tight and it allows the wheel flange to split the switch.

7/17/245:46 PM

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Raven87OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

That makes sense but any idea why this is the only locomotive that does it?
It is one of my older FT switches and I do have a new one I can swap out but it’s just bizarre that only this locomotive does it. 🤷‍♂️

And, my other EM-1 sails right through it!

7/17/246:27 PM

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ThatGuyOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@Raven87 posted:
That makes sense but any idea why this is the only locomotive that does it?
It is one of my older FT switches and I do have a new one I can swap out but it’s just bizarre that only this locomotive does it. 🤷‍♂️
And, my other EM-1 sails right through it!

Yup one engine is not uncommon. The wheels are hitting it just right.

7/19/2410:04 AM

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Raven87OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

@ThatGuy posted:
Yup one engine is not uncommon. The wheels are hitting it just right.

Thanks. I’m going to change out the switch this weekend with a new one.

7/19/242:02 PM

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harmonyardsOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

@Raven87 posted:
Thanks. I’m going to change out the switch this weekend with a new one.

Before you go bananas, beings this is a Legacy locomotive, it is backdrivable. This means you can roll the engine on the track by hand, observing exactly what’s going on, and get a precise diagnosis of what’s happening…..turn off track power before attempting,…

If the pilot truck is indeed picking the switch, you may be able to see the exact point it’s knifing the rails and make a minor tweak to let it go by,….sometimes all it takes is a tiny bit of filing to cure the issue ….

Pat

7/19/245:32 PM

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