Weaver car problems

[phillyreading]

Can any one give me a workable solution to my problem? My Weaver cars keep derailing when used with Lionel or K-Line cars.

[Big_Boy_4005]

I think we need more information.

What style of car?
Where are the derailments happening?
On curves?
On switches?

Weaver cars are generally light weight, especially the flat cars. They can also have their trucks screwed on too tight. Any light cars placed in the middle of a train can be a problem.

[phillyreading]

The problem occurs when the Weaver cars are used with Lionel and in the middle of the train and on curves or switches. The Weaver cars are freigth cars; box cars, gondolas and passenger cars.
Lee.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Lee, how sharp of curves are you using? Keep in mind that Weaver cars are scale, making them longer than typical Lionel and K-line cars. Have you tried running the Weavers at the end of the train, and not in the middle? The gondolas are very light, try putting a small load in them. Box cars too.

On my railroad, I typically mix all manufacturer's cars, without trouble, but I don't have any curves sharper than 072.

[phillyreading]

I am running 042 GarGraves curves.
Also have tried swapping couplers and wheels but to no avail. Like you say I must keep
the Weaver cars in the rear of the train unless using all Weaver. Don't have that problem with K-Line or MTH or Lionel or Industrial Rail.

[Big_Boy_4005]

This probably isn't the cause of your troubles, but it is a good thing to double check, and that is the screw that holds the trucks on. I like to have mine adjusted to the point where there is just the slightest amount of side to side rocking. If they rotate flat, they are just a little tight, back the screw off just a little.

Another thing that I have noticed with Weaver's plastic trucks in particular, they have a lot of twist in them. This is due to the fact that the side frames pivot on the cross bar. I have been going through my fleet, and using Gorilla Glue, to stop this twisting action. It seems to help. Most model trucks don't allow twisting in the first place.

If you want to try this, remove the trucks from the car. Place them on a very flat surface that is protected with paper. It just takes a drop of Gorilla Glue in the open part of the joint where the side frame meets the crossbar. The glue expands when it dries. Trim off the excess and re-attach the trucks to the car, with the amount of tension mentioned earlier.

Finally, add weight and your Weaver car tune up is complete.[8D]

[otftch]

If you use some stick on lead weights (like used in R/C airplanes or mag wheels on cars).Get yourself a postage scale and weigh a Lionel car.I usually put about an ounce on Lionel cars anyway.Then add the stick on weights to your Weaver cars until they weight approximately the same.They are usually marked at 1/4 0r 1/2 ounces to make it easier.They are so thin you can usually put them on the bottom of the car thus keeping the center of gravity low.
Ed