HD300

I personally like the older engine/gearbox mechanism that take the 'C' cells (LR14?!?) as I find they run smoother and quieter than the newer mechanisms. They also just seem to go on forever...

I personally like the older engine/gearbox mechanism that take the 'C' cells (LR14?!?) as I find they run smoother and quieter than the newer mechanisms. They also just seem to go on forever...

plus the weight of the bigger battery slightly helps stability imo

LR14 is right

disappointed that the new hd300 doesn't negotiate this crossover well, ok if straight, not so good in the turn. invariably derails - rather poor considering how good everything else is maybe the lack of weight due to the lighter aa battery?

[Super]

Many trains have a difficult time making it through the cross when in the turn (curved) position. Especially with a rake of rolling stock behind it. This is due to the very tight radius of the curve compared to a normal curve as shown in the picture below with my modified cross I tried to use in a tight spot on our original layout which eventually I removed due to all the derailments of many different trains. I copied this from Ucwepns layout where he has a one unit tram running around his town with no problems.

You are exactly right about the HD300 not having enough weight as I had that exact problem with mine especially when ascending the ramps with a rake of cars behind. At times the front end would lift up off the rail resulting in derailments. I installed a couple of shortened old Thomas weights in a perfect channel inside the engines shell. If taking the shell apart be very careful you don't lose the tiny nut that is used to hold the battery compartment door closed as it easily will fall out and if it falls out and be lost. By the same token, it can easily fall out when reassembling the shell so its best to make sure you do your work in an area or over something that if anything falls out it won't be lost.

that's very helpful - thanks

thinking about it, maybe i will fix the crossing so it's straight ahead for the time being. since i don't have any lead i will try and locate bolts or similar in those recesses eventually.

[Super]

I am not sure where you live but if you have a Lowes or good Hardware store you can find what they call Keyways which are used for gears and pulleys. They are square and long and come in a variety of sizes. At Lowes they are located in those drawers of odds and ends in the hardware section. There are also shelf pins there that are round and almost exactly like those Thomas weights. All not very expensive..

i'm in the uk super, nr oxford - that's about as far as you can get from the sea in england ie: about 100 miles haha yes I'll take a look in that kind of store, thanks.