Without the pilot truck, it has been running laps for 20 minutes. The front wheels are not out of gauge and the pilot truck only fits one way so it was not upside down, but if I put it back on the front wheels will rub against the cylinder head. Did I lose a part? Any suggestions on how to stop the front wheels from rubbing on the cylinder head?
Use an ohm meter and check continuity between each wheel and the axle. It has to be an issue in the axle itself. The front of the steam chests is one soild piece of metal so it shouldn't be grounded to the frame. Also, look at the paint on the front of the steam chest, is the metal bare where the wheel may be touching and shorting things out? The paint is there as an insulator, beyond just adding color to the piece. One more thing to check, make sure the pilot truck is not hitting the screw that holds the steam chests on. That does screw into the frame and could be electrically live. Make sure it is screwed all the way in and check to make sure you don't have some lead putty still on top of the pilot truck that may be hitting it.
There was no continuity between either front wheel and the axle. The steam chests have continuity to the back right tender hookup post. The screw holding the chests on also have continuity to the back right tender hookup post. I tightened it a 1/4 turn. Yes, the metal is bare where the wheel is touching the steam chest. I put a drop of paint on it and will see if that will hold up. I had thought about doing that, but figured the same thing will happen again. I truly appreciate your tips.
Is there any possibility the cylinder chest/head could be a teensy bit out of square? If the left side were slightly forward of the right side, it might be close enough for contact with the pony wheel, I think. Maybe. Possibly.
