4-8-4 Niagara Steam Loco HO derailing

[Helnermjma]

Just got my Son a DCC 4-8-4 Niagara for Christmas and have had a lot of problems with the engine/coal car derailing on turns and sometimes on the turn outs.  We have Bachmann easy track with 18" curves.  Is anyone running this engine with 18" R curves successfully?  We run smaller engines without any trouble with the turns?

[the Bach-man]

Dear Heln,
Check the gauge and side to side movement on the tender wheels. A littl lube on the axle ens may help as well.
Merry Christmas!
the Bach-man

[lmackattack]

that is a borderline radius for a large engine like that. I can run 4-8-2 and 2-8-2 on 18" radius but the 4-8-2 does not like the tight turns. I had to do alot of little tweaks to get it around the 18" sections. your Niagra is a larger engine than mine is . 22" would be alot better IMO

[pdlethbridge]

The Niagra comes with a 14 wheel centipede tender. That's the problem. Bigger curves and switches needed for that baby.

[djp]

If you are using the regular Bachmann turnouts you are going to have alot of problems. I don't know if all manufacturers give the same problems but boy do i have pains. You will have to keep tweeking, filing, bending every part of that turnout to get all your engines to go through them smoothly.

[hotrainlover]

I had a similar problem with my Niagara.  The solution was to put a steel washer on the lead truck, between the spring and the flat part of the truck.  I filed the washer, (almost square) painted it black, to conceal it.  I have had no more problems...

Hope this helps....