N Scale: Problems with the wheels falling off

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's just me and I'm the only one having this problem.

There always seems to be one car or another that has problems keeping the wheels set inside their trucks. These things are so tiny too that it's a pain to find them when they do fall off and a pain to put them back in. Do I replace the entire truck, take the trucks off and make it into an abandoned boxcar, or do I ditch the thing?

On the underside the letters are extremely tiny, but I think it says Micro Trains. Also, the entire truck is plastic as compared to other cars from another manufacturer which has metal wheels.

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Maybe it's just me and I'm the only one having this problem.

There always seems to be one car or another that has problems keeping the wheels set inside their trucks. These things are so tiny too that it's a pain to find them when they do fall off and a pain to put them back in. Do I replace the entire truck, take the trucks off and make it into an abandoned boxcar, or do I ditch the thing?

On the underside the letters are extremely tiny, but I think it says Micro Trains. Also, the entire truck is plastic as compared to other cars from another manufacturer which has metal wheels.

Thanks in advance!

[MAbruce]

Now that's something I have not had a reoccurring problem with. The disconcerting thing about your problem is that it is happening with what is considered the best truck on the market for N-scale - Micro Trains. If it had been another manufacturer, I would have suggested that you swap it out for an MT (Micro Trains) truck.

In the rare cases I have had this happen, I usually set the wheel back in the truck and gently squeeze the truck back in to the wheel. As everything is made of plastic, the truck is flexible and may just have warped out of gauge. But it could be that the wheel has warped, in which case I’d suggest you get a new wheel. MT sells these by the package.

I have some MT trucks (and cars) in my fleet, but I mostly use Atlas Accumate trucks/couplers. I find them more reasonably priced than MT’s, and despite some early issues they had with them, they work fine (as long as you are buying recently manufactured stock).

Metal wheels vs. plastic wheels is another debate. There seems to be a consensus that plastic wheels attract more dirt and need to be cleaned more often. However, metal wheels create more of a drag on your loco’s, and can limit the number of cars they will pull. I won’t even try to open up on this discussion… [:0][;)]

If worse comes to worse, you can always swap out the entire truck. If it’s an MT, you can go to their website and download their conversion chart to make sure you purchase the right one:

http://www.micro-trains.com/conversions_.htm

[MAbruce]

Now that's something I have not had a reoccurring problem with. The disconcerting thing about your problem is that it is happening with what is considered the best truck on the market for N-scale - Micro Trains. If it had been another manufacturer, I would have suggested that you swap it out for an MT (Micro Trains) truck.

In the rare cases I have had this happen, I usually set the wheel back in the truck and gently squeeze the truck back in to the wheel. As everything is made of plastic, the truck is flexible and may just have warped out of gauge. But it could be that the wheel has warped, in which case I’d suggest you get a new wheel. MT sells these by the package.

I have some MT trucks (and cars) in my fleet, but I mostly use Atlas Accumate trucks/couplers. I find them more reasonably priced than MT’s, and despite some early issues they had with them, they work fine (as long as you are buying recently manufactured stock).

Metal wheels vs. plastic wheels is another debate. There seems to be a consensus that plastic wheels attract more dirt and need to be cleaned more often. However, metal wheels create more of a drag on your loco’s, and can limit the number of cars they will pull. I won’t even try to open up on this discussion… [:0][;)]

If worse comes to worse, you can always swap out the entire truck. If it’s an MT, you can go to their website and download their conversion chart to make sure you purchase the right one:

http://www.micro-trains.com/conversions_.htm

[Wdlgln005]

Some wheels come loose in the box before you get out of the LHS. Rough handling or other accidents may cause the wheels to come out.

Many of the older N scale cars had ugly shiny metal wheels whith a black plastic insulating piece. I've replaced all of them with more modern wheels. Check the wheels for flash or any little gunk. Set the axle in the dimple provided in the truck and snap the other end in place. Everything should now be square and the wheel should not fall out. Spin the wheel and compare all axles on your car. Take your time and check everything before you take off the blueflag! Then put that car back in service! Some modelers have a regular program to check & clean wheels/couplers then add a little more weathering.
Have fun Nscaling!

[Wdlgln005]

Some wheels come loose in the box before you get out of the LHS. Rough handling or other accidents may cause the wheels to come out.

Many of the older N scale cars had ugly shiny metal wheels whith a black plastic insulating piece. I've replaced all of them with more modern wheels. Check the wheels for flash or any little gunk. Set the axle in the dimple provided in the truck and snap the other end in place. Everything should now be square and the wheel should not fall out. Spin the wheel and compare all axles on your car. Take your time and check everything before you take off the blueflag! Then put that car back in service! Some modelers have a regular program to check & clean wheels/couplers then add a little more weathering.
Have fun Nscaling!

[Anonymous]

Your using bachman aren't you? Thats why I said good by to N scale. I can get away with cheap stuff in other scales. That and my Bachman locos kept sputering.

[Anonymous]

Your using bachman aren't you? Thats why I said good by to N scale. I can get away with cheap stuff in other scales. That and my Bachman locos kept sputering.

[Anonymous]

Check your track for a rail joiny problem. I once had this problem and I found one piece of track had not went in the joiner but over it and would whack the wheelset knocking it out. If your trian clicks alot in a spot that would where to look.

[Anonymous]

Check your track for a rail joiny problem. I once had this problem and I found one piece of track had not went in the joiner but over it and would whack the wheelset knocking it out. If your trian clicks alot in a spot that would where to look.