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Need help with Bachmann DCC locos Journals/Blogs
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New member 13 posts Mitcheal1975 New member 13 posts
Mitcheal1975

Hi, I have two Bachmann DCC locos, a GP 35 and a GP 40. They both have the RP25 wheelsets. Due to space limits my layout has a section of 15" radius curves that go up a incline. These two locos do not seem to like going around that tight of a curve and almost always derail. I "think" at least part of the problem is that the RP25 wheelsets have a smaller flange that the older locos used to have, and the smaller flange causes the wheels to ride up and over the rail. So, my questions are: (1) Does anyone else have this issue, and what did you do to fix that problem? and (2), is it possible to replace the RP25 wheels with the older cookie cutter wheels that have a deeper flange? (I mention the deeper flange since I also have two older DC locos made by AHM that handle the 15 in radius inclining curve without any problems in the least). Respond to my personal email at rlandr0718@att.net. Thanks for any assistance.      
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wp8thsub MRH Author 3,348 posts
wp8thsub

Tight Curves

The RP-25 flanges aren't likely to be your problem.  The newer Bachmann DCC locos have a different truck and mechanism design than the older train set locos like your AHMs, and aren't necessarily intended to negotiate curves that tight, especially when you add a grade which forces the whole truck to twist in the process.  

Rob Spangler MRH Blog
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ron netti Regular poster 184 posts
ron netti

Bachmann Dcc Locos

I have a few new Bachmann dcc locos and run them on my tight 18" radius curves If you can rework your track

radius you should be good to go I had the same problem on my layuot with the locos jumping the track I took

a hard look at redoing my curves to a wider radius It was alittle extra work with some of the scenery in place

but it was worth it in the end.  ron netti
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DKRickman Prolific poster 3,069 posts
DKRickman

The hard truth

You are really asking these models to do something that they are not meant to do.  15" radius and a grade is a very bad combination.  You do not mention how steep the grade is, or whether you have a transition into it, or if the grade starts (or changes) in the curve, but all of those will contribute to the problem.

I have three suggestions:

  1. Redesign the track plan to eliminate the 15" radius.  As you are learning, it is more trouble than it is worth in most cases.
  2. If you cannot do that, then limit yourself to VERY small equipment - 44 tonners, 40' cars, logging locos if you want steam, etc.  Or, as an alternative..
  3. Switch to N scale to make better use of the space.

On my layout, even though it caused considerable loss of switching space, I forced myself to use nothing less than 24" radius.  Even with that there are places which some of my steam engines do not like.  Modeling is all about compromising, and only you can decide which compromises are worth it, and which cause too much trouble.

Ken Rickman

Danville & Western HO modeler and web historian

http://southern-railway.railfan.net/dw/
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UP MAN Regular poster 136 posts
UP MAN

15" DEGREE RADIUS CURVES. "WONT PLAY NICE WITH OTHERS

ASK ME HOW I KNOW LOL! HAD TO TEAR DOWN HALF THE LAYOUT. I RUN BIG GE AC4400 AND EMD SD70ACEs .  FOUND OUT REAL QUICK THEY DONT LIKE TIGHT CURVES. 22" MIN RADIUS IS AS TIGHT AS I CAN GET OR I HAVE MORE DERAILMENTS THEN I CARE TO ADMIT. THIS HOBBY IS SUPOSED TO BE FUN!  PS: HAS ANYONE SEEN ANY UNIDENTIFIED FLYING GP60s LATLEY? IF YOU DO ITS PROBABLY ONE OF MINE LOL!

FREE LANCE MODELING THE UNION PACIFIC FROM COLORADO TO COUNCIL BLUFFS IOWA

CLIFF MCKENNEY

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?
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Mitcheal1975 New member 13 posts
Mitcheal1975

Re: Need help with Bachmann DCC locos

Thanks to all who responded. I was sort of thinking along the idea of the 15" radius curves being too sharp in any event, but you all have confirmed that line of thinking. I, too, had already done a lot of the scenery next to those 15" curves, but, thankfully, not much. So, it is a "small" pain to have to rip out the scenery in order to get 18" curves in that spot. I know 18" is not much better, but at least the Bachmanns "will" run on those w/o problems. Can't go higher than the 18" because I have a underpass area that the track lead into already cut into my table and do not want to deal with that also. Again, thanks, guys!!   
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