Disassemble Lionel Bar End Truck?

[SteamGreaterThanDiesel]

I've search and I've found several discussions on fixing trucks, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.  Is it possible to remove the sideframe from the truck frame? I want to repaint the trauck frame, as it is very rusty, but I'd prefer to have it completely apart first.   Its from a Lionel 6456, if that helps.  Thanks for any feedback

[TrainLarry]

Welcome to the forum!

Without the proper press, staking tool and anvil to reassemble the truck, do not take apart the trucks.

Dip the trucks in rust remover, and repaint the truck intact.

 

Larry

[ADCX Rob]

TrainLarry

...Dip the trucks in rust remover, and repaint the truck intact...

OR, blacken them with gun bluing, NeoLube, or Jax.

[SteamGreaterThanDiesel]

thanks for the reply... I kind of thought i couldn't do it.... since I couldn't find something online. 

[SteamGreaterThanDiesel]

I've never used gun bluing.  Is that somethign that would need to be reapplied over time?  Any advantage to that vs painting?

thanks for the info

[rrswede]

ADCX, there is quite a difference in cost between the two. Do you or anyone else have experience to indicate which of these is a better value? Or are there other alternatives that provide good results?

Thanks, swede

[Flintlock76]

I can speak from personal experience with gun bluing, specifically cold blues like Hoppes or Birchwood Casey.  Both work well but the metal has to absolutely free of rust, and absolutely-positively free of oil or grease.  Several applications may be necessary. 

Or you can just paint it with Testor's "Flat Black" paint.  That works as well.

[ADCX Rob]

rrswede

ADCX, there is quite a difference in cost between the two. Do you or anyone else have experience to indicate which of these is a better value

They are different products, I use the Neolube as I use it for other purposes as well, like lubricating center rail pickup rollers and transformer rollers.

[lionelsoni]

I believe that the sideframe of a bar-end truck is attached to the bolster by deforming the top of the sideframe downward into an opening in the bolster.  Even if you could get the sideframe off intact, I wouldn't be confident that the brittle zinc casting would survive a second deformation to reattach it.

Any paint overrun from the bolster to the sideframe would be well hidden behind the sideframe (except for the bar-end itself).

[webenda]

" alt="" />I disassembled a bar end truck.

[webenda]

" alt="Soft side frame, bends easily." />

[webenda]

" alt="" />

[webenda]

The side frame is soft enough that the bar end could be pressed out, shearing the tab that holds it on the bar. Reassembly method... glue.

[webenda]

Now to exit or logout. Where is the exit door. Help, I am being held hostage and can't get out." alt="Help" />

[webenda]

Found it.

Welcome back,

LOGOUT

 

What a strange place to put the exit. 

[ADCX Rob]

What is there to be gained by disassembling to this degree?

[webenda]

ADCX Rob

What is there to be gained by disassembling to this degree?

 

Mr. SteamGreaterThanDiesel said,

 

SteamGreaterThanDiesel

 

I want to repaint the trauck frame, as it is very rusty, but I'd prefer to have it completely apart first.

 

 

It is easier to clean truck parts individually than when they are ssembled in a truck.

 

" alt="" />

 

With this wheelset the axel does not turn, the wheel spins on the axel.

On this truck the axles are worn down and the wheels wobble. You might

want to replace the wheels and axle. The truck is supposed to be ridged

which makes it impossible to remove with the truck assembled.

 

" alt="" />

 

I think you can see the problem in the photo.

 

 

[ADCX Rob]

webenda

I think you can see the problem in the photo.

 

No, All I see is a destroyed truck sideframe.

You do know the axles & wheels come out w/o removing the sideframes?

[webenda]

ADCX Rob

You do know the axles & wheels come out w/o removing the sideframes?

 

 

No, I don't know. How?

[ADCX Rob]

webenda

 

 

ADCX Rob

You do know the axles & wheels come out w/o removing the sideframes?

 

 

 

 

No, I don't know. How?

The truck is supposed to be ridged

which makes it impossible to remove with the truck assembled.

 

I just figured out what you mean by "ridged"... "rigid".  The bolsters are not rigid. They have lots of flex in them allowing complete disassembly in about 20 seconds.

 

 

[webenda]

Thank you Rob. I see a little gaposis there but you did not have to take a truck side off to get the wheels out.

Your gaposis makes me think one might be able to 

Disassemble Lionel Bar End Truck?

by prying the truck apart. If so, a screwdriver is cheaper than a press for disassembling the truck.

 

" alt="" />

[ADCX Rob]

webenda

Thank you Rob. I see a little gaposis there but you did not have to take a truck side off to get the wheels out. Your gaposis makes me think one might be able to Disassemble Lionel Bar End Truck? by prying the truck apart. If so, a screwdriver is cheaper than a press for disassembling the truck.

Ah, no. The metal cast side frames are swedged onto the bolsters for a one-time interference fit. No going back... if you pry the sides off the bolster, it's destroyed.

[lionelsoni]

The sideframes are not ferrous; you can verify this with a magnet.  I believe they are zinc castings and therefore not very ductile at room temperature.  I believe the wheels are sintered iron and the axles mild steel, but I presume that these would have been removed before any other work were attempted.

[webenda]

ADCX Rob

webenda

Thank you Rob. I see a little gaposis there but you did not have to take a truck side off to get the wheels out. Your gaposis makes me think one might be able to Disassemble Lionel Bar End Truck? by prying the truck apart. If so, a screwdriver is cheaper than a press for disassembling the truck.

Ah, no. The metal cast side frames are swedged onto the bolsters for a one-time interference fit. No going back... if you pry the sides off the bolster, it's destroyed.

 

Ah, no.  The joint is not and interference fit, it is a mortise and tenon fit. 

" alt="" />

 

This is getting interesting. I feel like finishing the destruction of my truck and seeing if I can put it back together to a fully functional condition.

[ADCX Rob]

webenda

 I feel like finishing the destruction of my truck and seeing if I can put it back together to a fully functional condition.

 

Anything is possible with time & money.

[phrankenstign]

Luckily if one doesn't succeed in being able to reassemble the trucks successfully, replacement die-cast, sprung trucks are available for purchase separately.  They aren't designed the same as before, but the wheels spin quite a bit more freely.