Stop Disaster In Its Tracks - Learn These 4 Easy Hints To Stop Model Train Derailments

Written By John V. Smith

You know, when my model train jumps its tracks, it's like hot chili sauce in the eye! I bet you feel the same way! I mean, think about it. You work hard all day long, and look forward to coming home from work just to find a bit of solace in that little world you created so carefully, sometimes the only place you can find peace and quiet, and then - BAM - a derailment spoils the fun!

It seemed that I had build "the little engine that can't" for the longest time. What a defeating feeling! Especially after all that time and money invested. Then I discovered four tips that helped me stop those derailments for good.

Here's what I learned.

One predominating cause of model train derailments is dull carriage couplers. Often you will find that the couplers between your cars have not been polished prior to sale. If you have installed new cars or new couplers to your cars, be sure to check if they have been polished. If they are rough, they don't move smoothly on one another, and they'll have a tendency to catch. That will throw the cars off the tracks. Most of the time manufacturers will provide detailed instructions on how you should polish their particular couplers. Take care of this, and you will eliminate one of the top 10 causes that beginners have for derailing trains.

Did you know that, contrary to what some might think, a light car won't actually help your train run faster or smoother but may actually cause derailments? It's true. If the car is too light, the wheels will not engage enough with the tracks, won't get traction, and can jump off the rails pretty easily. Eliminate this particular railroading woe by adding a bit of weight to the cars. Just be sure to maintain a balanced, low center of gravity by putting the weight in the center and as low as possible on the rolling stock.

Think about your automobile for a moment. What keeps them from bouncing all over the palace or from scraping the road every time you hit a bump? Shock absorbers, right? The wheel carriages on your model train serve the same function as a car's shock absorbers. If these carriages are not able to bounce up and down freely, they will not be able to smooth out the bumps in your track for your train's ride. If it's a bumpy enough ride, your model train just might bounce itself right off the tracks - and you're in derailment city my friend. Double check that your wheel carriages on all your cars have enough flexibility to keep those cars running smooth.

What noises do you associate with a perfectly working model? I'd imagine something like whistle sounds, signal bells, the hum of the engine motor, and the clackity-clack of the wheels over the tracks, right? When you imagine your train, do you imagine scratchy squeaks? Probably not. In fact, if you train is making a lot of squeaking and scraping sounds, that's a tell-tale sign of a derailment about to happen, maybe not soon, but you can be sure it's in the works. You see, these squeaks are symptoms of friction - which means that the wheels or other parts of the train are catching somewhere. That's no good! Don't worry, because it's a pretty easy remedy. You just need to diagnose where the squeaks are coming from and add just a tiny dot of light oil. Be careful: too much oil and you'll start collecting dust - and you're a model railroader, not a dust farmer. So be sure to wipe up any excess that may eek out. Also, take care that the oil doesn't damage your paint job on your rolling stock or any other part of your layout!

And there you have it. Give your model railroad a good inspection as soon as possible, especially if you are plagued by frequent derailments... or even as a preventative measure. Then apply these four tips, and you're model railroad should be running smoothly for years to come!