The JJJ&E Logo

Monday, October 22, 2012

Testing The Reliability Of Track On A New Layout



You just finished laying track on a new layout and wonder how trains will perform on the new track work.

Here is an easy way to find out. Run an Alco PA on all the track on your layout. If there are any irregularities in the track as well as problems with switches/turnouts and crossovers, this locomotive will find them. The Alco PA is a large six axle diesel and many modelers have known for years to use this locomotive to test out new track work . It can run on 9 3/4 inch radii as well. You can also use an E-8/9 diesel which will do the same thing. The E-8/9 is also a large six axle diesel and will perform admirably to find any irregularities in newly laid track.  Kato, Life Like & Broadway Limited makes E-8/9 diesels in N scale.

You can test any type of N scale track with these locomotives. It doesn't matter if its code 80 rail, code 65, code 55 or code 40.

After you've tested your track with either an Alco PA or an EMD E-8/9, its time to run all your locomotives and rolling stock over your track plan to see if there are any other track issues. Once this is completed, you can firmly attach all your track to its sub base (Foam etc. ).

This is the lead locomotive in a consist of four PA/PB's (  See Photo  # 1 ). This is a wonderful locomotive to test your track. If there are any problems with your track alignment or switches/turnouts gauge, this locomotive will find them. The Denver & Rio Grande PA is on the outer mainline track in the turnaround area east of San Marino on the "new" JJJ&E. The Monterrey Mountains are in the distance. I tested all the track on the "new" JJJ&E using four Alco PA's consisted together.
Photo  # 1  I used this Denver & Rio Grande Alco PA to test all the track on the "new" JJJ&E for any irregularities. This large six wheel based locomotive is well known in N scale for finding any track problems on a layout.

No comments:

Post a Comment