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Post by tjdreams on Jul 26, 2015 10:30:38 GMT -5
liberating with the wrong product or even over liberating with the right product can and usually dose cause more problems than you started with. When it comes to liberating z scale I use a small sowing needle dip it into some Labelle and touch it to the gears, the fraction of a drop that transfers to the gears from the needle is usually more than enough to liberate them. Simply put Less is More.
David
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Post by prokop5588 on Nov 6, 2017 21:58:22 GMT -5
Just purchased the Metrolink set (7003-2) as my introduction into z scale and model railroads in general. Love the set and I am planning on running it in a temporary winter time layout on an end table near the Christmas tree this holiday season. I did have a question I hoped someone might be able to answer: Since this set apparently has the older style couplers, can I upgrade to AZL's Autolatch couplers and if so, where can I purchase them? Thanks for the help!
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Post by zscalehobo on Nov 6, 2017 22:46:44 GMT -5
Just purchased the Metrolink set (7003-2) as my introduction into z scale and model railroads in general. Love the set and I am planning on running it in a temporary winter time layout on an end table near the Christmas tree this holiday season. I did have a question I hoped someone might be able to answer: Since this set apparently has the older style couplers, can I upgrade to AZL's Autolatch couplers and if so, where can I purchase them? Thanks for the help! Upgrading to AZL couplers? I am not sure about that. But, I do know the MTL 905 coupler works ( LINK).
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Post by shamoo737 on Nov 7, 2017 8:53:47 GMT -5
The 903’s are drop on replacements for the F59 couplers. They can also be used with the California cars and Surfliners.
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Post by markm on Nov 7, 2017 9:50:42 GMT -5
Procop:
Welcome to Z.
Isn't the only difference between to two coupler models that #903 is unassembled and #905 is assembled? For a newcomer I'd recommend the assembled version, the headaches of assembly isn't worth the price difference.
Mark
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Post by shamoo737 on Nov 7, 2017 11:40:39 GMT -5
Ok got them in today. It is a very Nice looking set, (#7003) and the F59PHi is a really smooth runner, it does struggle with the 5 cars on the other hand though, but I think that's due to the inside bearing trucks, cause even in N scale the Athearn ones did not roll well.... So would reaming out the holes for the axles help, or should I just use a bit of graphite powder? As for the motors, I tore mine down and saw the motor was a Mashima motor, which I believe actually has a 12v power rating instead of the suggested 10v. I'm not complaining either, Mashima is renouned in N scale for being awesome motors! The F59 is a mule. Make sure all wheels are secured to the axle. I found one where two wheels are loose. They will spin, but it doesn’t provide traction.
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Post by zscalehobo on Nov 7, 2017 11:45:58 GMT -5
Isn't the only difference between to two coupler models that #903 is unassembled and #905 is assembled? For a newcomer I'd recommend the assembled version, the headaches of assembly isn't worth the price difference. Mark I like Karp's quote at zscale.org: The Micro-Trains #903 kit has all the parts you need to assemble a functional coupler; the Micro-Trains #905 is the same coupler sold fully-assembled. Buy the #903 to save a few bucks, get spare parts for repairs, or repair a truck-mounted coupler. Buy the #905 to save your sanity.
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Post by prokop5588 on Nov 7, 2017 14:34:47 GMT -5
Sounds like the #905 kits are the way to go. Also sounds like they drop in relatively easily. Will they drop into both the cars and the loco?
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Post by shamoo737 on Nov 7, 2017 15:23:21 GMT -5
Isn't the only difference between to two coupler models that #903 is unassembled and #905 is assembled? For a newcomer I'd recommend the assembled version, the headaches of assembly isn't worth the price difference. Mark I like Karp's quote at zscale.org: The Micro-Trains #903 kit has all the parts you need to assemble a functional coupler; the Micro-Trains #905 is the same coupler sold fully-assembled. Buy the #903 to save a few bucks, get spare parts for repairs, or repair a truck-mounted coupler. Buy the #905 to save your sanity.Come on, it’s not that bad. How else he is going to learn what it takes to run z. 🙄 If you have the truck mounted couplers, it will not fit. The AZL couplers are very stiff. If you shorten the whiskers, the couplers will swing better.
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Post by zscalehobo on Nov 8, 2017 1:07:08 GMT -5
Sounds like the #905 kits are the way to go. Also sounds like they drop in relatively easily. Will they drop into both the cars and the loco? Yes, they should also work on the locomotive, but be careful with that locomotive back porch! It can misbehave!
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