KEEP EXPLORING
Mechanical checks
- Points should seat firmly against stock rails.
- Throwbar must move freely without ballast or glue interference.
- Guard rails and frog area should be in gauge.
- Approach track must be level, aligned and free of kinks.
Electrical checks
Determine whether the frog is insulated, power-routing or separately powered. Short wheelbases can stall on dead frogs; a powered frog may improve reliability if wired correctly.
Derailment diagnosis
Watch the exact wheel that first leaves the rail. A derailment that appears to happen at the frog may actually begin at a kink several inches earlier.
Do not bury trouble
Operate every route forward and backward with your most demanding equipment before ballasting or adding nearby scenery.