Issues with MTL SD40-2 and MTL turnouts

Ajayrav Oct 31, 2018

  1. Ajayrav

    Ajayrav TrainBoard Member

    136
    21
    20
    I have 2 SD40-2s (UP) that I had decoders installed in professionally. They ran really well on my test track before the decoder install and continue to do so. They have been test run only.

    Recently, I found out that they snag on all my MTL turnouts, irrespective of route. My MTL GP35 has no issues through these turnouts and neither do any of my AZL locos. In pushing these locos manually over the turnout, they appear to get stuck and it seems to be around or slightly before the frog. The wheels appear to be in gauge and the problem seems to be isolated to both my SD40-2.

    What should I do to ameliorate this? I'm assuming the turnouts are fine since all other AZL and MTL locos and rolling stock run fine.

    I tried contacting Joe at MTL, but haven't heard back.

    Thanks in advance,
    Ajay
     
  2. rvn2001

    rvn2001 TrainBoard Member

    389
    373
    22
    Try sanding the bottom of the plows slightly. They tend to hang up on turnouts. They were made too close to the right size ;0)
     
    Kez and bostonjim like this.
  3. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    Same issue as before. As above, they are pretty much prototype, right at the rail head. Sometimes it is the bottom of the truck too. It's really close.
     
    Kez likes this.
  4. Ajayrav

    Ajayrav TrainBoard Member

    136
    21
    20
    Thanks for the responses. The plow is OK and I will check the bottom of the truck... If it is the truck, can I sand it down without disassembly?

    Would really appreciate a response from MTL regarding what to do.

    Thanks,
    Ajay
     
  5. shortpainter

    shortpainter TrainBoard Member

    278
    900
    20
    As SJ Z-man mentioned, the bottom of the truck could be a problem. On my SD40-2, the center of the truck between the wheels hangs too low and it causes my loco to get stuck on turnouts and grade crossings. I had the idea of filing the bottom plate so it would be thinner but I have not tried it yet. The trucks come of pretty easy but they sure don't go back on easy.
     
  6. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

    3,007
    1,020
    62
    There is a very simple way to determine many if these "it doesn't run through a turnout issue".

    #1: Get a bright light (desk lamp or better, a flashlight [torch for the UK blokes]
    #2: Get your eyes down at track level, not above and not 3' away.
    #3: Use a good slow speed controller and run it back and forth SLOWLY

    At track level, with a bright light behind the loco, you should be able to easily see where the truck is hanging up.
    At track level, with a bright light in front of the loco, you should be able to easily see where the truck or wheel is hanging up.

    Even if you can't see that well. with one of the Optivisors ($5 - $150), there will always be a spot where it brings the needed distance into focus

    I your loco doesn't run well slowly, you can always slowly slide through, but its not the same as running (the tracking will change quite a bit)
     
    bostonjim and Kez like this.
  7. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

    2,153
    653
    46
    I have the same problem with mine. Not on turnouts as I don't use MTL's nor Marklin's (I understand the problem comes from hinged points that are not necessarily exactly lined with frog / stock rails), but on bridges with their guardrails that may be protruding a little bit.

    Will consider filing trucks' bottom one of these days...

    Dom
     
  8. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

    986
    52
    25
    Frequently the MTL roadbed turnouts have a frog that sits to high it can be altered with some hand work, the base can be removed and the frog casting removed for some work with jewelers file so they sit flush with the track work, it was a known issue with the first run of SD40-2's and sanding the plow lower edge and angling it so will ride up and over over, rather than come to a dead stop when it comes to a high point on a turnout or track junction.
     

Share This Page