Mainline Class 45 - Good runner but...

[stonesfan]

The dreaded 16 wheeler! Really like this old model and its a strong runner still. However derails on all of my points (standard Peco Setrack turnouts). Seems that this loco just won't negotiate them but it does run okay on the radius 2 curves of which I believe the points are? All my other locos run fine over the points at lower speeds.

Fixable or simply too many wheels for most pointwork?

Cheers

[Walkingthedog]

Is it the very front wheels that derail to start with?

[508035]

I wonder if it could be a problem with all the 16 wheel diesels ( class 40, 44, 45 & 46 ) because I have a Lima class 40 which constantly derails primarily on peco double slips. It derailed with its original motor bogie and continues to derail with a hornby class 40 motor bogie which I adapted the lima chassis for in order to fit it.

It makes me wonder whether the back to back measurements of the wheels are a bit too close and could need to be opened up a little to stop the derailments so it could possibly be the same for your class 45., might be an idea to check the measurements with a back to back wheel gauge.

[stonesfan]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. It looks very much like the front and rear 'pony truck' wheels are derailing. Sometimes the front bogie, sometimes at the rear bogie. There are screws to adjust the tightness all four trailing/leading wheels. Have had a play around with tightening and loosening etc. Did notice that the peak also derails when approaching a peco set of points that are set straight. Maybe a similar issue to some of the earlier Hornby stuff that doesn't like peco points?

[Mountain Goat]

I never had a problem with them as they always rode well. Check the bogies sit OK on their pivots and the pivoted wheels are OK at the pivots. Also check the back-to-back of the wheels as if this is out, they will jump the track.
There can sometimes be issues if the trailing bogie support lugs get damaged with age but otherwise they usually ride pretty well.