I have one so far, I think. Anybody have one or more of these cars? Tangent #20033-01 PS-2 4750 Covered Hopper. Do you notice that it has more drag then other Tangent cars without the rotating bearings? Is there a Drag/Rolling distance RP in the NMRA for rolling stock? Should the bearings be oiled with plastic compatible oil? Then again this oil will pick up fuzz, so maybe not a good idea.
I recall when Kato offered the rotating end cap bearing trucks as separate parts.
I bought several to try them out. As you mention, they have a much higher rolling restance. Simply by the design, where the axle stub has to pass through the truck side frame rather than having a low contact area type needle point, causes increased friction.
https://www.hobbylinc.com/kato-barber-s-2-70-ton-roller-bearing-pkg2-ho-scale-model-train-truck-31602
It was a fun detail for a while but I'd rather not sacrifice "rollability" for a kind-of gimmicky detail. IF I only had a few cars on a switching layout it might be worth seeing, otherwise — not so much.
Occasionally the bearing caps pop off, never to be seen again.
Good Luck, Ed
Aha, I found the trouble, it is a bent axle end/tip. I looked close and saw the one bearing wobbling and rubbing the truck and this was the dragging wheel set. The other wheel sets turned freely. I tried to push the bearing on more to square it on the axle end, no go. Next I popped the wheel set out of the truck and pulled the bearing off. I just thought that the bearing was pushed on crooked but there it was, a bent axle end. I will try to straighten it. Use no oil here.
gmpullmanOccasionally the bearing caps pop off, never to be seen again.
.
It seemed like on every Kato truck there was one bearing cap that did not fit very snug. They came with two extras per set, but they were akways disappearing.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
PC101 Aha, I found the trouble, it is a bent axle end/tip. I looked close and saw the one bearing wobbling and rubbing the truck and this was the dragging wheel set. The other wheel sets turned freely. I tried to push the bearing on more to square it on the axle end, no go. Next I popped the wheel set out of the truck and pulled the bearing off. I just thought that the bearing was pushed on crooked but there it was, a bent axle end. I will try to straighten it. Use no oil here.
The thin axle end strighten very easily, it seemed rather soft. The bearing slipped on and stayed in place, snapped the wheel set into the truck, (this is where I believe the axle got bent). The hopper now rolls much better.
Somewhat OT but decades ago Athearn experimented with trucks that had a "working" roller bearing end cap and those trucks did not roll well at all, especially in comparison to regular Delrin Athearn trucks which rolled about as well as anything did back then. Those "working" roller bearing trucks were introduced with great fanfare, then quietly retired.
Dave Nelson
Let's hope they stay Retired.
Uh, guys, have you not been noticing?
Athearn Genesis freight cars, current or at least recent releases: several have rotating end caps. It depends which cars you buy--but they do.
I just replaced the trucks on a Moloco car with a pair of Athearn Genesis trucks that have the rotating end caps.
Why? The brand new Moloco trucks on my brand new boxcar short right out of the box (I almost fried an expensive diesel) and I haven't had time to get replacements for them.
The Genesis trucks were a suitable temporary drop in replacement.
John
PRR8259short
Russell
PRR8259 Uh, guys, have you not been noticing? Athearn Genesis freight cars, current or at least recent releases: several have rotating end caps. It depends which cars you buy--but they do. I just replaced the trucks on a Moloco car with a pair of Athearn Genesis trucks that have the rotating end caps. Why? The brand new Moloco trucks on my brand new boxcar short right out of the box (I almost fried an expensive diesel) and I haven't had time to get replacements for them. The Genesis trucks were a suitable temporary drop in replacement. John
Oh I'm paying attention. My Athearn Genesis open bi-level auto racks have rotating caps. One has never been out of the box yet. Looking though the box window I can plainly see two missing on each truck. Now how many are missing on the side I can't see yet? A warning label should be attached to the box ends that says "OPEN BOX SLOWLY ON A WHITE TABLE AND YOU MAY SEE THE BEARING CAPS ROLL OUT OF THE BOX.''
I'd like to see a bag on the shelf at the LHS like maybe 50 for $1.00.
You will also find rotating axle bearing caps on Scale Train Rivet Counter cars like Stock #STX31162 F68AH Bulkhead Flatcar TTPX 80298.
PC101you can plainly see two missing on each truck.
That should be all of them, right? Just two per truck that you can see.
SeeYou190 PC101 you can plainly see two missing on each truck. . That should be all of them, right? Just two per truck that you can see. . -Kevin .
PC101 you can plainly see two missing on each truck.
Yes, all four caps are off the axle ends on one side of the car that I have never had out of the box. I see two in the box loose. The bad thing about this is if somebody opened the box or removed the car from the box at the LHS to have a look at it, the loose caps could be laying on the floor at the LHS.
I am wise enough now to look though the window first for how many caps may be off/missing before I leave the LHS just so I know when I get home what to expect.
PC101somebody opened the box or removed the car from the box at the LHS,
PRR8259 I just replaced the trucks on a Moloco car with a pair of Athearn Genesis trucks that have the rotating end caps. Why? The brand new Moloco trucks on my brand new boxcar short right out of the box (I almost fried an expensive diesel) and I haven't had time to get replacements for them. John
I have been looking at a Moloco 50' New York Cent. box car in jade paint. I picked it up in hand three times and put it back. When I drag it home, I will double check the wheels. Thanks for this info.
Yes, seriously, check to make sure the trucks don't short and before you put an expensive engine on the rails in front of it.
Regarding the Athearn rotating end caps, if they are still on the car when taken from the box, for me at least, they seem to stay on during service. So I've had few problems with them.
PC101 I'd like to see a bag on the shelf at the LHS like maybe 50 for $1.00.
Tangent item TSM 251
Thank you maxman, I'll be looking. I saw other Tangent parts on shelves but not the Bearing caps.