I have purchased several Details West boxcar kits. The finished models have a good appearance but I'm having trouble with occasional drooping couplers. I was wondering if the Details West scale cushion draft gear part cc-1025 or cc-1026 would fix the problem? There are directions on the package but I can only read part of it on-line. The nearest LHS is 150 miles away so I can't just stop in and buy one pair. Amazing how much the on-line marketers will charge to ship very small packages... I really need to know if it will resolve my issue before ordering the number needed. Can anyone advise?
I reached out to DW and received a reply within an hour! Kudos for the awesome customer service! Yes, the cushion draft gear box should fix the drooping coupler issue plus be more prototypical so my friend SPSOT doesn't get me!
If it were me, I would order the Moloco Draft Gear Boxes, they have them for many different prototype manufacturer's and they are much easier to install and open up for maintenance later.
https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/parts/draftgear
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
Thanks for the tip. I reached out to molocotrains for a recommendation. Looks like several cushion draft gear are out of stock, hopefully there's an available version that fits!
What size tap drill for a #0-80 screw?
Mike, sent you a message...
Reply sent.
Mike.
My You Tube
Got it and sent a couple of replies.
One more thing Rick, those DW pewter castings will probably have a little flashing left, so carefully file or cut it all off.
Sometimes I also install the screw after I drill the tap hole, to cut in the threads, ahead of time, which can make the final assembly go a little easier.
Just an idea.
Show us pictures when your done.
Thanks Mike, you have been helpful in this thread and in our messaging.
Best,
Rick
dti406 If it were me, I would order the Moloco Draft Gear Boxes, they have them for many different prototype manufacturer's and they are much easier to install and open up for maintenance later. https://www.molocotrains.com/collections/parts/draftgear Rick Jesionowski
Rick, do you have an alternative means of contacting molocotrains.com? I sent an email but have not received a reply. Thanks, IDRick
After checking around, it appears that replacing the draft gear boxes will cost more than the DW boxcars purchase price. Plus, I'm not really set up to use such fine guage tap drills so the odds of success as a novice are not good with a high probability of breaking one or two.
I can probably fix the two problematic cars with some shimming + black duct tape and be willing to live with a small bit of coupler droop.
Well, OK, it's your call. You should have a couple of pin vises in your tool selection anyway, or there are a lot things your not going to be able to add as detail parts, since you like everything as prototypical as you can.
Mike,
I have always appreciated your time and patience in helping me, a first-class novice! I greatly admire those with superb modeling skills and seeing their final projects but I don't have the skills or vision to do fine detail work. I'm realizing that I should focus on other areas of the hobby and accept Athearn BB/RTR, MDC, Atlas Trainman, and Details West in their original configuration as "good enough" for me.
Take care my friend!
A shim inside the coupler box should take up the vertical slack that allows couplers to droop. Thin brass, thin styrene, or even a sheet of paper from a glossy magazine will work. Might try cutting the sides and ends off of the Kadeee #5 coupler spring.