It is not the size of the wheel flanges, it is the gauge, and it is with the gaurd rail. Place a truck assy on there and you can see more clearly. An MTL or Marklin rolls right thru but the AZL's get pulled into the narrow gaurd rail area (made to spec tho) and thus forcing the flange up. The SD-70's have the same problem on the Peter Wright turnout. AZL's flanges (rail rolling side) are at 0.235" where the MTL and Marklin are at 0.245 (0.010 wider) - all the difference in the world. Had to regauge the wheels on my 2 SD-70s for both turnouts.
Jeff your worring me!!! i haven't even gotten my track or my new SD70 and your having problems. What do you mead re=gauge the wheels? i read the other problems about DCC but this one is new. Please posr mre info at your convienence. Tony B... AKA Zmon
Tony, I can also confirm what Tim and Jeff have found. Jeff is right on the money with the problem. AZL has been using the same wheel gauge since 2000. The design was tested on the Marklin system and locos run fine through Marklin turnouts. The MTL's are very different and have much tighter tolerances. I have found the SD40s also ride high on the frog (not high on the hog). Now this is important. The issue does not necessary only affects AZL products. I have a Marklin box car that does the same thing. So what to do? Option one is re-gauge wheel sets. This will solve the problem, but my take some time if you have a large selection of locos and rolling stock. Bill Powers filed the guard rail to increase the play between the track and the guard. This solved the problem. I like Bill's solution since it allows more play and is more forgiving for any wheel sets that don't match MTL's dimensions. Rob
Tony, some locos, trucks, rolling stock, etc. have been made with wheels a bit too wide or narrow (usually by only say 0.010" - ten thousands of an inch). Sometimes all of one model, sometimes only a production run where others of that model are fine. But even 10 thousandths can be too much or little, especially in Z where the inside of the rails is 0.262 (0.256mm minimum). There are wheel pullers available that push against the axle while pulling equally on the wheel. The are all pressed on so will either go on more or can be pulled out a bit. This is easier with the truck apart which is easy to do. It's not difficult. Not to worry, they'll run fine on Marklin turnouts. Maybe AZL can have this tweaked by the time you save up enough that the girlfriend/wife or other money draining source doesn't notice the dip in funding.
Jeff, AZL is taking this seriously, though I doubt they can adjust in time for the upcoming runs including rolling stock. I personally hope MTL can give us a little more room on the turnout. Question, did you use a wheel puller to adjust your SD70s? If so, any make that you recommend? I think I need to run an article in Ztrack on how to re-gauge wheels. But I have to admit, I have only re-gauged a few, and those were ones that were really far out of gauge. I am also looking into offering a wheel gauge though Ztrack. Rob
Got my turnouts in the mail today and they are very nice but they do not selectively route track power to anything but the metal frog itself, which is not really a problem but it leaves the non-DCC crowd with something to resolve. Any thoughts about how to electrically isolate sidings, blocks, and spurs for normal DC two-cab operation with Micro-Track? Are there insulating rail joiners that can be used? Can you ditch the metal rail joiners altogether and maintain rail alignment?
Us DCC'rs will solve the problem, we always hook up power everywhere ! As for the DC and block control question, 1) you should be running feeders to each section anyway, 2) you'll likely want a toggle switch in that block to either isolate (disconnect) it or select another cab. Try using Marklin's isolated joiners (asymetrical), Peco's code 55's (available in your Nor HO scale LHS), etc. Just pull out the the snap in joiner piece (that way you'll have a few spares too).
Hello Friends My MTL Turnouts arrived today and I had the chance to test them with some of my Rolling Stock. Here are the results: MTL: F7, GP35, Mogul = no Problem AZL: SD40, SD45, PA1, C44-9W, GS3, AC-12 = no Problem Märklin: I've tested maybe 20 different Locomotives without a Problem. The only Problem was the AZL SD70. I'm really happy that the rest of my beautiful AZL Locomotive runs without problems. Sincerley Jürg
Jurg, That is great. I think you must have gotten lucky! I have had problems with the SD40-2 and SD70. I think Tim had problems with the C44 and I know Bill Powers had issues with his SD45. I have not tried testing with the AC12 and GS3 yet. Rob
Rob, first I tought that the GS3 and AC12 never pass the Turnout but to my suprise they go through without problem. The AC12 stalls a very little but it depends on how fast the locomotive run. All of my SD40's and SD45's pass without stalling. Cool!
So how well do the locos run on a Micro-Train turnout compared to a home build turnout from Fast Tracks? Are they comparable?
Hi Folks; Thanks for you resent info on the SD70 and the MTL switches. I have not yet receved either my new switches or my SD70, so i have not checked out anything. As you may know, i am in the planning phase of my new NA layout in DCC. If there is going to be problems with the MTL switches, i hope MTL resolves them in the next batch run. I mean here i am buying new equipment that is advertised on the net right now and it seems crappy that i'm going to have problems right out of the box. What's up with this, should i wait and see were things go with MTL and AZL? Honestly i don't know who's at fault or what to do. I'm planning and building, i don't need more problems, i'v got enough. I ordered two sets of switches from Loren, so i may only fiddle with one of them, and sell the other pair on ebay. I had realy hoped to get away from Marklin switches (i have 8 singles and 4 doubles on the mine) and get to something new and less bulky for my new NA layout. Not to mention that i want to run DCC and hide everthing that i couldn't with conventional Marklin track, switches, uncouplers ect. Anyway...I'm still worried..... Zmon
Jurg, Question, my SD40s and SD70s also don't stall, but they do ride up on the frog. You will see the loco tilt or rock when it goes through the turnout. Zmon, I wouldn't worry too much. This is really not a matter of blame. With all new releases, there is bound to be a bug or two. I know AZL won't be able to make any changes right away. Production on new products and runs are already too far along to even consider any adjustments to wheel sets. MTL is planning on correcting the left hand frog issue. The guard is really the key piece. I never thought that a 1" piece of plastic would cause such a stir. There is indications that MTL is looking at the design and making a modification. Again, this won't happen right away. For easy of operations, I recommend filing the outside guard done to open the gap between the rail. It is quick and simple. If you have the skills, then you can adjust the wheel sets. I know this may seem like a daunting task, but once you get your turnout and SD70, you will see the fix can be very simple. Rob
Thanks Rob; Your words of confidence are very helpfull. I just got my switches and track from Loren today. Wow.... I have been a Marklin guy for to long. The MTL track and switchs are very nice. i espesially like the road bed and clips. The comments about being like a toy set or Kato track is right on. I chatted with Guy at AJC Kids today, and he will be shipping my SD70 tomarrow. i figure i'll double down right away and get a MTL GP35 in the UP paint as well. my thoughts are that the AZL is a long term DCC ambition that i will work on for a while, and the MTL loco will be for fun. I bought a nice assortment of all the different track pieces from MTL. Since i'm only planning the new NA layout, i may play a bit and build a fun holiday loop for my wife. Hmmmmm..... them i'll need some new cars to go with the SD70 and GP35..... Great track MTL Zmon....
