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Post by ednadolski on Jul 9, 2024 20:32:17 GMT -5
I'd like to learn about any efforts folks might have taken to lower the ride height of AZL and/or MT freight cars. What were your experiences? Did you file down the bolsters, or use any other particular techniques? Any caveats?
I presume that the cars are made that way principally to accommodate the truck/coupler swing on tight radius curves. But perhaps that could be relaxed for larger radii, say 15 inches or more? That sounds to me like it should be conspicuously generous for most Z scale rolling stock, but I am the Z scale noob here.
TIA, Ed
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Post by smr on Jul 10, 2024 12:53:42 GMT -5
Hi Ed,
To my limited experience, the problem is not the radius (as long as it is wide), it is the switches.
I am afraid only custom build switches would work.
My best,
Sven
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Post by ednadolski on Jul 11, 2024 19:21:32 GMT -5
Interesting, what is it about the switches? Any particular brand (Marklin, Rokuhan, MT, Atlas, ...?
Other than tight radii, the only other thing I can think of is maybe low couplers snagging, but that would affect hand-built turnouts too (and crossings).
Ed
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Post by BAZman on Jul 13, 2024 12:07:03 GMT -5
Set up a Slow Motion camera. Macro mode.
Then run your trains on:
* strait track (camera perpendicular)
* strait + curve (similar camera angle)
Then, a Turnout or Crossover (scary)
Heed Sven’s worning. Plus, once you sacrifice a few cars, what are you going to do, if it does not work? 2 “test cars” is not enough for 5~9~16 cars (and varied lengths).
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Post by ednadolski on Jul 16, 2024 23:31:41 GMT -5
Thanks, Jeff, I guess you are referencing to rocking and/or truck swing? The only commercial turnouts that I have are couple of the Atlas #6 -- no Marklin, Rokuhan, MT, etc.
I'm (cautiously) confident I can make something work, at least to some degree, having done similar in N scale before the mfrs. started making lower ride height ootb. Yes, wheel flanges are proportionately larger, tho I think there are ways to address. I also have some of the FVM wheelsets with smaller flanges which may be useful.
One idea for MT cars is a 3D printed replacement underframe, with correct-height bolsters, additional flange clearance, and integral coupler pockets (possibly for the MT TSC or new N-Possible couplers). If I can't make it work, I'll just swap the original metal frames back in, no harm done.
The layout that I am planning will not have tight curves, so overhang/swing/clearance should not be an issue, tho yes that does introduce some constraints. Everything comes with trade-offs.
Ed
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Post by smr on Jul 17, 2024 0:47:59 GMT -5
Sounds exciting, Ed,
Do you want to share your layout ideas with us, too?
Best,
Sven
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Post by ednadolski on Jul 19, 2024 8:22:41 GMT -5
Hi Sven, I actually have several things in the works (including a Z-Bend module, tho that won't exclusively be the large radii curves, so it will use un-converted rolling stock). I'm planning to post some threads soon.  Ed |
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