AMS modification and lgb decoders

[cacole]

OS2Dude,

You have to order the Gary Raymond ball bearing wheel sets directly from him as near as I know. I put his wheelsets on 4 AMS cattle cars and they made a remarkable improvement in rolling qualities. The stock trucks and wheels on AMS products are terrible.

[OS2Dude]

The screw/bolt (Depends on age of truck) that holds the side frames on to the bolster is removed. Replace screw/bolt after putting it through hole in angle brace. The brace helps hold the bottom of the sideframes out and perpendicular to the bolster. The real truck had 4 springs (I believe) but AMS only has the 2 outside springs in. This has the effect of torquing the sideframes out of alignment and binding the axles.

I had bearings let into the journals on several of my AMS cars, but have not had a chance to try them out. Gary Raymond now is making ball-bearing wheelsets for the AMS cars as well. I'm still trying to find anyone who actually sells them.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it and if you do I bet you will regret it

Rgds Ian

[cacole]

A Digitrax or Lenz G-scale decoder would probably be a better choice. I use the AirWire900 wireless DCC system from CVP Products in all of my engines.

As for the AMS rolling stock, I don't have any of their boxcars, but the 1:20.3 cattle car set has horrible wheelsets that don't roll well at all. I have ordered replacement ball bearing wheelsets for them. Companies that make ball bearing wheelsets all say that the AMS rolling stock wheels are no good.

[devils]

Just bought some of the AMS DRGW boxcars and have heard that the brackets supplied are for making the truck run better, does anyone know how to fit these parts?
Does anyone know the max current that an LGB decoder can take?, I'd like to fit one in my bachmann 2.8.0 or is there a better make that's compatible with LGB and NMRA?