Refurbishing my Railroad

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SanDogDewey
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Location: Seaside, Oregon

Flange Squeal

Post by SanDogDewey »

Just had our first run day! Getting a lot of flange squeal in the curves. Steel wheels on steel track. Sprayed some dry film lubricant which stopped it until we got a little rain. Will this eventually get less or go away after the rails wear a bit. It there something we can use on the track? The track is flat with no grade.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by Bill Shields »

Full size rrs used flange oilers.

Gut reaction is that once you run all the rust off the rails the squealing will become less.

Use of lubricant has its downside...🤪
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Glenn Brooks
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Flange sequel means the track curvature and/or gauge is to tight for the wheelbase. First step is Check your gauge in the areas where the squeal is loudest. If you are under to close or under gauge, you’ll run a constant risk of derailment, and be a safety hazard to passengers. Bad news, if so… if not, then look at your radius and extend one curve to see where the sweet spot is…

Glenn
Moderator - Grand Scale Forum

Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
SanDogDewey
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by SanDogDewey »

RMI said the train could go down to a 12’ radius. I’m currently at an “18’ radius which is as wide as I can get on this property. This same train ran at a ~15’ radius for over 10 years.

I’ll recheck the gauge, but I built all the track panels in a jig.

I was going to try some waxed graphite sticks, but the shipping was outrageous.

Thank you!
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Erskine Tramway
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by Erskine Tramway »

SanDogDewey wrote: Mon Mar 21, 2022 11:44 pm RMI said the train could go down to a 12’ radius. I’m currently at an “18’ radius which is as wide as I can get on this property. This same train ran at a ~15’ radius for over 10 years.

I’ll recheck the gauge, but I built all the track panels in a jig.

I was going to try some waxed graphite sticks, but the shipping was outrageous.

Thank you!
Did you widen the gauge on the curved panels you built in the jig, or just curve them by hand on the ground? Curving them by hand can narrow the gauge to just a little bit under 7-1/2", if you didn't start out with 7-9/16" or 7-5/8".

Mike
Former Locomotive Engineer and Designer, Sandley Light Railway Equipment Works, Inc. and Riverside & Great Northern Railway 1962-77
BN RR Locomotive Engineer 1977-2014, Retired
SanDogDewey
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Refurbishing my Railroad - Flange Squeal

Post by SanDogDewey »

We rubbed some surfboard wax on the rails and the squeal disappeared! Smooth and quiet!
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BAdams
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by BAdams »

Mr. Zogs to the rescue!!
SanDogDewey
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by SanDogDewey »

BAdams wrote: Wed Mar 23, 2022 8:15 am Mr. Zogs to the rescue!!
:lol: Yes, apparently Mr. Zogs Sex Wax is not only “The Best for your Stick” but “The Best for your Track”! :lol:
SanDogDewey
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by SanDogDewey »

Got our railroad crossing in! We’re working on landscaping this week.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by Bill Shields »

Gee...and here I thought you were out in farming country.

Looks good :D
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SanDogDewey
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by SanDogDewey »

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Bill Shields
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Re: Refurbishing my Railroad

Post by Bill Shields »

Understand why you would have squealing.

Assuming track is like a dog one...do you alternate directions?
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