Smokey Valley side frames

[Anonymous]

I got some Smokey Valley Kit 24sideframes AAR switcher exposed roller-bearings for my Athearn SW1500 Switcher to match prototype. They look great however they want to leap out of the trucks due to the taper on the main pin. Anyone use these and how did you address this problem short of gluing them in.

[Anonymous]

I tried the Smokey Valley Dash-8 side frames on an Athearn CSX C44-9W before and I encountered the same problem as you, mstein. Try cutting some material off the taper on the inside of the pin. Also, you may want to shorten the pin as well. This worked for me.

[Anonymous]

Mike,
Thanks for the advice. I learned a while back that metal, plastic and lumber don't grow so I'm always a little slow to take a knife, saw, file to correct a problem without checking first. I've had great luck with the SV Bloomberg M sideframes. Put them together, no modification.
Mike

[Anonymous]

Got them to work. Trim points were under side of main pin to stop the self extraction, end of the main pin to clear the gears, and knocking the outside corners of the pins that go inside the wheels so they can move. Keep a test track handy. Do the work before gluing the brake cylinder on or you'tl get to do it twice.