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Post by ugeesta on Jul 19, 2021 12:40:13 GMT -5
Haven’t really gotten into the MTL rolling stock until recently. What I am finding is the flat cars and shorter box cars are derailing quite frequently. Most of the cars derailing have tight trucks so freeing up the truck is an obvious task. How do you do this? Take a round file and make the hole bigger? Add lubricant?
I understand the track may play into the derailing issue and will work to correct bad spots in the layout.
is there a benefit to change to metal wheels? I tried that on a hopper with AZL wheels and that didn’t seem right. There was more friction with the truck and they looked too big. Does someone may smaller metal wheels?
thanks
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2021 13:32:35 GMT -5
Maybe simply that the bolster pin is "pushed in" too far (I had the same issue with FT hoppers after replacing a truck) ; take a flat screwdriver and try to pull the pin slightly away, putting the screwdriver between the bolster's head and the truck.
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Post by siddyz on Jul 19, 2021 14:23:45 GMT -5
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Post by scanrail on Jul 19, 2021 14:27:43 GMT -5
I replaced all MTL plastic wheels with metal ones in my own collection (36" for passenger cars, 33" for all kinds of freight ones). It was a while ago, when Fox Valley/Full Throttle offered wheelsets produced by the factory that was closed a couple of years ago. Those wheels fitted excellently, and the rolling resistance even reduced after upgrade.
Unfortunately, after the closure of the factory, 33" wheelsets were out of stock everywhere. Some time ago, I purchased some Full Throttle 33' wheelsets from the new production run from the different manufacturer. I was not satisfied with them, as the axles were slightly longer, and this caused more friction. Additionally, these wheelsets featured more primitive geometry and were less darkened.
Very recently, Full Throttle 33" metal wheelsets were revised once again. I did not get them in my hands yet, but according to the reports and pictures posted by the first buyers, they are similar to the first edition that was offered by Full Throttle and Fox Valley long time ago and that was the best one.
I ordered these wheelsets at the moment. As soon as I get them, I will be able to reveal further details. But as for now, it looks like these ones can be recommended.
AZL wheelsets are good themselves, but in my opinion, they don't fit to MTL rolling stock due to the bigger diameter and again, a bit longer axle. Otherwise, they look good with the native AZL trucks.
Don't make any "surgery" on bolster pins and/or holes in any way, and don't lubricate them! They will become too loose even after the smallest "touch", so you will have to glue them after this. Just do it like @alberich already wrote above.
Greetings,
Alex
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Post by rvn2001 on Jul 19, 2021 19:50:13 GMT -5
Just pry the bolster pin up a little and the trucks should rotate freely. Every time I get a new car I hold it on its side. If gravity rotates the trucks towards the table/floor they're loose enough. I turn the car to the other side to check that the truck rotates freely in both directions. Metal wheels will always improve the operation of the car.
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Post by husafreak on Jul 19, 2021 23:01:57 GMT -5
I doubt you'll ever be completely happy until you get the Will's metal wheels. And free the trucks.
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Post by BAZman on Jul 19, 2021 23:56:48 GMT -5
I can’t remember since the last time I’ve gotten a MTL freight car, where the trucks were binding. And I have hundreds of freight cars. Are these absolutely new. (may be a new assembler due to . . . ). Or used where some buried the bolster pin.
Use your finger nails to slightly squeeze the bolster pan out just enough as above until you lay it on one side or the other it should freely swing by gravity.
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Post by ugeesta on Jul 20, 2021 4:27:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the ideas. I was able to get the trucks to freely move by pulling the pin up a little bit. Haven’t run them yet. Also looks at the metal wheels as ZSM and they specifically say they are MYL replacements so I’ll give them a try.
Thanks.
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Post by husafreak on Jul 21, 2021 10:11:56 GMT -5
Jeff, do you also put metal wheels on your MTL cars?
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Post by zdave on Jul 21, 2021 10:19:55 GMT -5
I like the metal wheels on my cars. They work better and go “clickety-clack.”  By the way, I got my Erie-Lackawanna F7’s. They look super! Thank you AZL for finally making some EL’s.  |
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