NIAGARA 4-8-4 troubles

[CraigH]

Just purchased a "new" NIAGARA 4-8-4 NYC Locomotive with tender.  The drive wheels are getting caught up in the driver rods.  Anyone know a fix?

[HoModeler]

Lightly pry back the drive rod's away from the wheels with a small flat blade screwdriver...This should give you the clearance you need.... & rerun your loco & the Rod's should not touch / rub.....

[CraigH]

How about if the wheels also seem to "wander" on the axle?  they have actually move off the end of the axle a time or two.

[James in FL]

How about if the wheels also seem to "wander" on the axle?  they have actually move off the end of the axle a time or two.

Sounds like you're out of quarter.

[HoModeler]

How about if the wheels also seem to "wander" on the axle?  they have actually move off the end of the axle a time or two.

Your wheels seem to be out of Gauge Check your wheels with a Gauge checker available @ most Train Hobby shops...

[brokenrail]

Get a magnifier and see if the wheel insulator that the axles go in the back of the drive wheels is in straight on all the drive wheels.I have seen this problem where when the axle is pressed into it .It is not tight and in gauge to the track.Will make the wheel slip on the axle also and make it out of quarter and start hitting things ,like side rods. This cannot be taken out and put back in because the insulator is already distorted from not going in straight to begin with during assembly. Probably needs a new axle assembly dropped in.That would be the easy way to fix it .OR a new insulator .That would  require re-quartering and re gauging the drive wheels that are effected by the insulators that are not pressed in the wheels straight.This may be something warranty  should cover if that is the case.
Johnny Adam