Here are a few tips from a railroad engineer (no, I'm not the kind of engineer that toots the horn at crossings): railroad wheels derail when the L/V ratio is high (around 0.8 to 1.0 or more). L=lateral force that the wheel is exerting on the track; V=vertical force the wheel is exerting on the track. Looks like you are using polymer wheels with a 90-deg flange angle and zero or low conicity. That means very high friction between the wheel and rail, and very high likelihood of flange-climb. To avoid derailing you need to lower the L/V ratio. You can raise V by adding weight to your cart. Weight is your friend. You can lower L by lubricating your wheels. Try soapy water (I'd avoid using oil or grease on that polymer). You can try conical wheels with a flange angle of around 60 to 70-deg. Or, you could go back and try it on a wet, rainy day. I'll bet you won't detail on wet rails. Google the Nadal equation to see how this stuff works. Have fun!

6:02 You're not in that person's property. Is that their tree? I would have just carried on. Don't ever back down from a Karen. I would have encouraged her to make the call. Make an ass of herself.

Karens gotta Karen... Check your gauge.

Should probably wear a hard hat and high visibility vest. Bring a battery powered chain saw to trim back the branches. You will look important and noisy people will probably not question you as much.

Why is she soo concerned about some dead tree limbs? Does she not have anything better to do? Clearly knot

Seems to me that cutting down dead trees is much different than clearing some obstructive brush from a fallen tree. You always seem like a "Take the high road" kind of guy, and I salute you for it. Just don't get walked on.

4:46 IMO it's popping off track because your platform/frame is deforming under load. And you've approached you're own solution. Insufficient mass.

The aluminum probably cracked and broke from the cutout for the center rod, not necessarily the torque load. That full aluminum strut should have been able to handle to torque load. Better idea for the future when working with thin aluminum is to bolt on a fastener bracket instead of cutting out a slot since aluminum is prone to cracking.

Its making a noise before you derail. I think something might be loose or off center. Pin down the noise right before derail. You got yourself a gremlin hiding somewhere in that thing.

Oh No! Someone invoked Tree Law!

It is so wholesome to see your beautiful and wonderful wife engaging with you in these endeavors. Kudos to her.

More weight, low-friction wheels, or a longer wheelbase. But most likely the frame isn't stiff enough, and is "tacoing". At one point it looks like diagonally opposite wheels are in the air, the vehicle can turn, and drop one wheel. Us heavy guys need to take flexing structures into account.

iirc the angled surface of the wheels is what keeps the train centered on the track (not the flanges) so if your axles are sagging, you lose that angle and it'll derail

that "concerned citizen" wasn't hugged enough as a child

Beware of the tree police 😂

Please have the secondary power unit wear shoes. Been around that stuff and seen too many people get hurt. As far as the Karen goes, just wear lab coats. She will do what ever you say. Also Camber. Great vid, keep 'em coming.

Reciprocating loads can literally heat up the aluminum at the stress-point (notch) and practically turn it into putty and rips without getting red-hot. It's neat watching it happen under a microscope.

When they start doing a tear-out, get yourself some pieces of rail. High quality steel, and a section of it should also make for a good smithing anvil. And while you're still at it, the pump-car may need wider wheels with more of a conical section.

Your wheels aren't firm enough you can seem them moving around in different angles, you gotta make sure they stay straight otherwise they will derail

My recommendations are: 1. Use a metal frame (wood flexes too much) 2. Try to get the center of gravity down in the middle of your little wagon 3. Use a combustion engine connected with the axle in the middle (try to put the engine in the middle helps with the center of gravity) 4. Puts chairs for your comfort and maybe a 45° up front bumper to push the bushes down when cruising the abandoned rails.

the "tree police" line got me

That railroad pump car is awesome. Shame the neighbours can't have fun anymore

Might be some chassis flexing exacerbating the derailing issue. You can see how much it flexes when you lift it back onto the track. The stiffness of that spare aluminium you kept might come in handy for making some crossbar supports to keep her sturdy.

This channel bases itself on things I think I want to try. It's amazing. We had several railroad cars ride through town a month or so ago, and I have been interested before. 73s

you should add a reveser gearbox so you can pull or push a lever so it gose in the direction you want, that way you dont have to keep picking it up just to turn it around so it's going the right direction

I love when people show all the setbacks and the process of fixing those problems. Probably the most important part of making anything.

Tell Karen you’re the Special Assistant to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg. She’ll go away happy.

Haha I'm from Minnesota and I recognize that track!

Say okay about trimming dead brush, then pantomime starting a fire while loudly announcing that their idea to just burn it is much better.

I got thrown out of GM here in Oakland county MI on my rail kart. lol, I am thankful the security had a sense of humor.

This channel continues to be fascinating. You might check the gauge and conicity... I am not an expert on that. But the wheels should be fixed to the axles, and the axles should be perfectly parallel. You may also have a problem with the frame flexing. It seems like the wheels are toeing in, or possibly the camber angle is flexing. You might need a heavier axle.

Love the retro build music n clips, a freeze frame ending wod have been the icing!

The pump car across the bridge was awesome, haha

*_"...right up there with SAVE IT FOR PARTS and ADHD HOARDING."_* Gabe and I are 'spirit brothers'. 😊

No sure if anyone motioned this in other comments. It look like the platform was "racking" a bit too. Near the end of the video it seemed that one side of the platform lifted up and pulled the opposite side inward, causing the wheels to pull inwards and off the track. Keep up the great work.

Thanks for documenting your efforts

6:27 It looks like there is a bit of negative camber on the wheels that you are standing over. My theory would be that when it gets loaded with the wait of a person, the camber of the wheels gets more negative. This would prevent the train wheel from working the way they are designed. I can't tell where the bearings are positioned, but it would probably help to move them out towards the wheels if possible.

Great to see the railroad project back. Sorry about your Karen infestation ☹️

Don’t let the tree police stop you they’re just being a holes

Next time wear some high vis vests and hard hats. Then everyone will assume you're supposed to be there. 😂

1:31 In my opinion you should absolutely be using solid round stock for this, preferably tool steel. That arm is going to be under the strain of 2 people after all.

7:26 looks like the front right wheel (from perspective of the direction of travel) is flexing the axle a bit so the bottom pushes inward. stiffer axles might help with that.

I would love to build a speeder. Glad to finally see yours! I didn't realize you had a pump car that thing is probably only a little flimsy is all. Your measurements are most likely all good, but the margins are too wide for the materials when everything is working together. Good work. Love to see it.

actually the train tracks area cover 45ft on both side or something. no trees or whatever are allowed inside that zone.

A new draisine video, it was a complete success. Now we know a few more ways things can go wrong. For me, there are no failures, only new ways something doesn't work. At first, I thought it was an issue with the variable gauge, but the problem lies elsewhere. I am confident they will find a solution. I am very much looking forward to more videos.

To stifen the beam I'd use a couple of plywood diamond shapes on either side of the pivot.

That's too bad it did not work, but i am sure you will figure it out. You can do this! Nice video btw.

I'm pretty sure the inner width is too short. In other words, the flanges should be nestled much closer to the inner edge of the rails. As it is, when one flange is right against the inner edge, and you hit a curve, the total distance between the tracks is greater than the width of the axle. In my opinion, you might also consider splitting the deck in two, with one half for each axle, with an inch or two of articulation, like an articulated truck. That way, each axle can stay perpendicular to the track simultaneously. Alternatively, you could emulate a real train car by building the axles into "trucks" (the sets of wheels on train cars that have a certain degree of "yaw") such that each set of wheels aligns independently to the tracks, even on sharp curves. In such a set-up, each set of wheels can be at different angles without stressing the car or mounting points of the axles. If you split the deck, You could have a floating deck on top, treating the sub-deck like the "trucks" described above (though, that design is obviously getting pretty dang complex).

Might need springs pushing the wheels outward or "spring loaded wheels" and a stiffer chasis.

I'm pretty sure it's not illegal to cut up a fallen tree.

youre moving a square through an arc, its gonna derail without some wiggle room

Pruning is not cutting down a tree.

0:55 that's exactly how my DIY 2 stroke motorized bike frame cracked. Under torque and vibrations.

Looks to me like you need to stiffen the frame and wheel connections, check your gauge, 4ft 8 and a half inches, but mostly, the flanges on the wheels need to be bigger. Closer to what you would find on a actual railcar

The issue is pretty obvious i think. The platform lacks rigidity. You can see it warp and pop. Both in axles and the frame.

how about instead of removing the railroad and turning it into a bike trail, they just keep the tracks and turn it into a rail biking trail

I see 2 pieces of trimmed rail as ramps and a block and tackle for leverage here.

looks like when you are derailing the flange of one wheel still stays on the track where it should be, while the other wheel is able to flex enough inward to come off the rail. looks like maybe loose hubs, flexy wheels, or flexy axles?

I would love to have her section or two of that railroad track, to be certain. Portable anvil project that would benefit from having access to it. I'd love to make a few and sell a couple since it's as easy to make 10 as it is to make one.

Every problem is an opportunity to innovate, Stash it away and have a good think :)

That must have been the dead tree that person was living in. State parks in MN - no you can't cut dead or living trees. State forests - yes you can cut down dead wood for firewood. You may need a permit. Now you weren't cutting this for firewood and you are in city limits so pretty sure they are incorrect in this case. She is probably just upset by change and lashing out indiscriminately. Anywho... good to see the cart in action. I wonder if there's a slight gauge issue combined with the grippy material of the wheels. (Shrug) Hope you had a blast at Open Sauce! I've been keeping an eye out for you in videos I am seeing from the event. You were mentioned and shown in Jeff Geerling's video about his PIZ dispenser (just before the nineteen minute mark)!

We need more Betties' and less Karens in this world. Thank you for all you do.

Have you considered the phase of the moon when trying to determine, a) if it has something to do with the derailments, and b) if the PSTPP (Public Space Tree Pruning Police) operate on during the gibbous phase?

When you put the camera under I noticed that the frame twisted. Maybe some more bracing under the deck.

Your videos are fun. Even though I know nothing about the satellite stuff I can't take my eyes off.

Perhaps two old aluminium ladders as a base frame?

I could see this guy manning a spaceship

Looks like the wooden frame was flexing and caused the axle to skew.

so its derailing bc the wheels are a bit too close to the center, and for tiping up, pull the wheels more towards the edge, that should fix all of the issues, and make sure to use a square

2:27 nah. The only mistake there is not adding a camel back to it. So you know how cherry pickers have that reinforcement of the main boom, same here. In fact, if you go through old, old pictures of these, you can see there's reinforcements on quite a few of them. Some more artisanal (wood overlapped) some more industrial, in particular one i recall, a cast iron "bridge" that was joining the middle points between the handles and the pivots.

At 7:28 it looks like the asymmetric torque wants the wheel to ride up over the track but instead the wheel cambers inwards enough to allow the opposite wheel to fall between the tracks. I wonder if it hase some toe or if the axle isn't fully perpendicular to the chassis. Maybe take it to a local tire shop for a wheel alignment?

4:00 I think I can SEE the problem in this shot. the rear left wheel is canted a tiny bit. Look at it in slow motion if you can.

Certain parts of the track are leaving too little of the wheel contacting the track - so maybe two of the wheels could use a little spring loaded extension, pushing the wheel track outward when going around curves.

You always have the most interesting T Shirts. I do not think i have ever (except on your channel) seen a SPAM shirt. lol

Your wheels needs more bevel and a solid axle between them. Then the wheels will center themselves. Great stuff. Let's keep working on LoRa.

5:44 you should have put orange reflective vest on. Then no one would have said anything.

I would measure the width of that track to see how consistent the Gauge is... I doubt that it's you with the design of your Velocipede. (Nice build 👍)

its the torsion from you pression down on the pully. probably too much weight with the steel up top. maybe the tightened chain adds to the torsion idk.

Here's my comment to boost your ratings. You earned it.

“Concerned citizens” are always a pain in the ass when they think they own everything.

at around 6:45 you can see how the wheels base is too short on the sides its sticking out way too much inside it looks like maybe enlarge it and add springs on the hubs to create tension and follow the track better?

The aluminum might have been strong enough if you didn't chop a huge chunk out of it (and with a dull beaver or something? Jeez that looks rough). A C channel profile is only strong when the whole C is intact - once you chop the sides out, it looses most of it's strength. Also the problem with the derailing is the base platform is all wood, and it's probably racking - put some diagonal braces on the bottom across the corners might help keep it square, and all the wheels on the rails - or better yet, build a frame out of steel that's welded together.

Just some random ideas i came up with, dunno how useful. Maybe you could make a 3d printed wheel and use that as a mold to cast wheels from metal. Strikes multiple birds with one stone: New Sandland Sidequest unlocked. Maybe the sandstone when broken up makes for good casting sand. Would add some weight to your build, but weight combined with (Sandland) sand equals traction. Sanders(not Bernie) can be a box of sand with a cup in it. Would be a cool project, you could surely pull that off with all the stuff you gathered.

I love this channel so much it isn’t even funny lol

There is always some grump muffin, just ignore.

just a quick thought, it appears your frame or drive shaft might be flexing too much from the drive force applied. i could be wrong.....

Looks to me like the axle has too much flex. Great video though!

I checked the Ramsey County property survey maps and those tracks are still marked as belonging to SOO LINE RAILROAD CO, 120 S 6TH ST FL 7, MINNEAPOLIS, MN as the taxpayer. The little parkette there is part of the same property group as the townhomes across the street so I'm guessing she's a townhome dweller who thinks the tracks are part of their townhome park.

try putting springs behind on the wheels on the axel shaft to keep the wheels inner groove pushed up against the track.

Next project will be to build train tracks by that mine.

thank you for posting video

Sometimes, things go well, and sometimes... I think, the worst is not mechanical problems but "human" ones ;). If a dead branch fall during a storm, does the wind be condemned to go to jail ? x)

You're derailing because your wheels flex.

Gabe: Could it'd be the frame was warping slightly and that is what was causing the derailments?

Cool project. And regarding the debris that had fallen over the line, you should not be intimidated by annoying persons that do not represent legitimate interests. Be fair and firm in your quest!

0:58 Gabe, I wonder if tubular aluminum or structured steel would be a better option, since it would be able to take the mechanical loading better than a channel would?

Please allow me to preface my comment with a disclaimer: I'm an idiot- but even a broken clock can be right twice a day... unless I'm digital I digress: I think the problem is the materials and or bracing. If you were to brace (or use more robust bracing) underneath the platform from corner to corner in an X- i think the torsion from pumping the handle pulls the platform out of square moving a wheel of the track. I hope this helps!

You know an 18-20" segment of track will make a great anvil. Stake you claim! As for cutting down dead trees? That just seems suspect. 10 years, 20 years. Dementia perhaps. Widen you wheel gauge just a little. The flange just might tape teh rail a bit sooner keeping things from going too far off the rail

I think I remember you using some new lumber on this it may have dried and Shrink slightly changing the size of your frame

New Style, I like it!