Re: Misaligned Tracks

["Ira Schneider" <ira_schneider@iname.com>]

I agree that our major derailrment problem is the switches and crossovers.  But, the horizontal and
vertical misalignment of the tracks, especially at the module interfaces, are also causing
cars to "jump", uncouple, and derail.  It especially bothers me to see that some modules have
the tracks so badly placed that the bridge tracks have to wiggle.

The vertical alignment problem is worse.  When trains pass over a "hump" in the tracks, they can
uncouple or just shift the couplers vertically enough to cause them to disengage much farther down 
the track.  Most of the vertical misalignment is caused by us not paying enough attention when we
assemble the modules together, especially on an uneven floor or with slightly uneven height legs.
Much of the horizontal misalignment seems to be caused by poor module construction, since the
pictures appear to show one or two bridge tracks out of alignment at a module transition while the
others are straight.



Ira