OK. Here is a question for all of you veterans, from the noob. I have recently started collecting vintage AF equipment, but the modeler in me can't help but want to "improve" it. One of the things I have done consistently with the pieces I have aquired is to swap out the old plastic wheel sets with new metal ones from S-Helper Service. I consistently find that many of the old plastic wheels on the vintage cars are loose on the axels, and are unable to maintain correct guage.
Up until now I have only worked with rolling stock with the sheet metal truck bolsters, and wheelset replacement has merely been a matter of muscling them into place. However, my most recent boxcar aquisition has diecast truck frames. And upon examination I am beginning to think that this is going to be a different animal entirely. Oh, and it's wheels are loose, and certainly in need of replacement.
Some of you must have faced this delimna before. So how do you suggest I handle replacing the wheelsets without busting up the trucks?
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
The diecast trucks can be spread apart like the sheet metal ones but you do need to be more careful. A small screwdriver like a 3/16 between the wheel and truck and pry out. If the wheel sets are loose, see if the sides of the truck is square as looking from an end. If not you can bend the upper metal part of the truck to square it up. If the diecast part is loose from the metal part a drop of crazy glue will fix it.
Jim
Timboy S-Helper wheel sets are great, but the aren't vintage. But under normal circumstances, this is rehab that can be undone if you wish to later sell a "valuable" car at collector prices. -Timboy
Tim,
Tust me, there is very little chance that I will ever have a "valuable" collection. Everything I have so far is strictly run of the mill. Unless I have a rich uncle in poor health that I don't know about, that's not likely to change. My ebay search is auto-set to "show least expensive items" first!
Wheelsets came, wheelsets installed. No problem. Thanks guys!
Nice job!
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