Walthers Bi-level Commuter cars

[Anonymous]

I have bought some crappy cars. But these Bi-Levels SUCK![:(!][V] Does anyone have any ideas on how to make them run better?[xx(]

[mustanggt]

How come? Is it because you have to install lots of grab irons? Then I can see why.
btw Kato is coming out with them in HO sometime this year. check this link out:http://www.katousa.com/images/2005-New-Model-Poster1-800.jpg

[cspmo]

I put shims under the trucks, and replace the wheels. I planning on getting Kato,and place Walthers crap in the station

[trolleyboy]

Is it a weight issue? I'm not familiar with the cars but if you can help us out with whats wrong with them, if their like some of the old Concor and riverossi cars metal wheels and some stick on weights down near the bolsters may help. TB

[Anonymous]

I've not had any trouble at all with my three - planning to fit Kadee #58s at some point but apart from that they're great. Would like to track down some of the lighting kits for them as these would fini***hem off nicely. One thing I did notice was from the box they have quite a high rolling resistance - I had to strip each truck and put a dab of grease in the bearings, result being they'll now roll twice as far for the same original "push". Hope this is of use!

[Anonymous]

Mine have been tweaked and tweaked. I think i'm jsut going to replace the trucks. Some of it is a wheight issue. The other thing is who makes trucks that can replace the stock ones. I'm making my lighting system when i get my cab car

[Anonymous]

I'd say to stick with the existing trucks and maybe change the wheelsets if they're causing trouble. The only snag with this is the trucks and wheelsets work together as the lighting pickups - the wheels have "stub" axles fitted into a plastic centre piece and run in metal sideframes which conduct the power into the car - very neat system!

The only thing I've noticed apart from the bearings needing grease is they're not keen on tight curves - suspect they need a 30in minimum radius to be truly happy. The tightest curve on my shelf layout is a Peco medium-radius switch which they're fine on. Could you give some information on where they're derailing and what seems to be happening?

[raynbecky]

I'm wondering if radius is playing a factor here too. I have a 30" radius minimum and have 40 of these cars. Other than the drag issue, you can't run more than 8 cars with a single E-8 on any kind of grade, they seem to work just fine. I also use spiral easements on all turns too. I would imagine on sharper curves they would string line derail due to the drag of the wheels.

[Anonymous]

I just bought three of the SP cars that just came out. I'll be on the lookout for problems and have noted the comments herein. Thanks all!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by raynbecky

I'm wondering if radius is playing a factor here too. I have a 30" radius minimum and have 40 of these cars. Other than the drag issue, you can't run more than 8 cars with a single E-8 on any kind of grade, they seem to work just fine. I also use spiral easements on all turns too. I would imagine on sharper curves they would string line derail due to the drag of the wheels.

I just finished re laying my layout all the curves are 30" min. They still run crapy and derail the most on the straight sections

[trolleyboy]

As far as replacement trucks try persision scale or Labelle both make full truck sets, may be worth a shot. TB

[Anonymous]

Thanks trolleyboy. i'll go and get som,e when i get some money