Accurail Truck mods?

[jrbernier]

The new Accurail kits have screws. On the old ones, I drill out the the bolster hole clear through the weight, then tap it for a 2-56 screw. You can also get short self starting screws, but make sure the do not hit the weight! I also get rid of the coupler arrangement and use screws there as well. The cars are very nice and the paint jobs are great. The only other things I do is replace the couplers, and the wheel sets with metal ones(after reaming out the journal boxes with a Reboxx 'tool').

Jim Bernier

[scubaterry]

tstage, I must have got a couple of older Accurail's this batch. I will go out tomorrow and get the appropriate screws. Hopefully the other six I get in from another source will have screws.
I noticed the same thing with the binding with the W pass cars. I have all 22in radius on my layout but it was obvious. I have a BLI Hudson pulling them and had a 50ft Exp car first then the RPO then two combines. The last three were rubbing in the middle of the curve. I solved the problem somewhat by putting the RPO first and then the Exp car. More clearance. Anyway nice talking to you and thanks for the info.
Terry

[tstage]

Terry,

Thankfully, Accurail wised up and started adding screws to their trucks and coupler boxes. The friction fit pins are not my favorite, either. Generally, the Accurails runs very smoothly - especially when you start outfitting them with metal wheels. They do make a huge difference both in rolling ability and keeping the track clean.

I also have three Walthers cars: two 46' gondolas and one 30' cupola caboose. I agree with you. They are very handsome cars. However, just to let you know. I have had binding problems with these as they go around curves - both 18" and 22" radius curves. On the straight sections of track they are just fine. But I have had to trim things underneath the frame to get them to roll better. They are worse the tighter the radius of track.

Tom

[scubaterry]

tstage, The model looks very good. However I am becoming a fan of screw in coupler boxes and screw on trucks. These have neither. I will go out tomorrow and get some screws and hopefully be able to tune them so they stay on the track. As I had mentioned I have six more coming. I think in the future I will stick with Intermountain and Walthers you pay more but they are built more for my kind of Railroading (dropping, kicking, running off the end of the table when I'm not looking etc.). I just received several of the walthers 60ft Hvy passenger and RPO cars. REally nice, look sharp and roll real smooth. Thanks for your info and I will let you guys know how it turns out.
Terry

[scubaterry]

cacole, thanks for the speedy reply. I assume then that with the soft plastic the screw will cut its own threads as I screw it in. I should not have to tap it correct? I checked the box real well and saw no screws of course no telling how long these sat on a shelf before taking the trip down here to the FLorida Keys.
Terry

[tstage]

Terry,

What cacole said but I use 5/16" long 2-56 screws. I have an ACE hardware near me and that's where I pick them up at. They'll probably run you about $0.25 a pair

Besides the truck issue, how do you like the rest of the kit? Granted, they aren't as nicely detailed as a Proto 2000 or Intermountain. But I still like the looks of them....

Tom

[cacole]

Yes, you can use a 2/56 (size 2, 56 threads per inch) x 1/4 inch or 3/8th inch long screw in place of that stupid plastic pin. I hate that plastic pin, too, and always throw it away and use a screw.

Newer Accurail kits are now providing screws because so many modelers have complained about the pin, from what I have heard.

If you have an Ace hardware near you, they should have the size screws you need.

[scubaterry]

I just bought several Accurail cars including a 40 ft box car and a 40 ft wooden reefer. I am pretty new at this and now I know why they were so cheap. My question is: can you modify the truck/car floor in such a way as to replace the small plastic plug that currently holds the truck on? The plug is so short it is either to tight or falls off, as a result I can't keep the car on the track. The bad thing is I have six more on order. Thanks in advance.
Terry