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Tyco frieght cars
Tyco frieght cars
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10 replies
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Berk-fan284
Member since
October 2004
452 posts
Posted by
Berk-fan284
on Monday, July 11, 2005 7:01 AM
First of all, HELLO! I would say if you like your Tyco's and you don't want to spend a small fortune on knuckle couplers do up one or two cars as "adapter cars" with the Tyco coupler on one end and the knuckle coupler on the other end. Some of those Tycos are pretty funky looking and can make up a unique train if you aren't too concerned with being prototypical. And here is a quick tip get yourself a Micro Mark truck tuner or a Reboxx truck tuner for honing the the axle mounts, it makes a big difference in how easy the car rolls and how many cars your locos can pull.
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loathar
Member since
August 2004
From: Amish country Tenn.
10,027 posts
Posted by
loathar
on Monday, July 11, 2005 1:28 AM
I've got a lot of Tyco,Lifelike and other cheap cars converted to knuckle couplers.Their great cars to practice on.Save the cheap cars to try weathering techniques and kit-bashing on.Some of mine pull better than the $$$ kits I've bought. Remember-It's your world, what you say goes!
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Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Monday, July 11, 2005 12:45 AM
I have alot of Tyco in my collection of 400+ cars. All have been converted to body mounted Kadee couplers and most have metal wheels. On some I kept the truck sideframes and replaced the wheelsets with metal ones from Lifelike or Intermountain. If you want to replace the entire truck, you may have to fill in the large mounting holes and drill and tap 2-56 holes to mount the new trucks with screws. I have seen replacement trucks with the snap-in kingpin like Tyco uses, but the detail wasn't much better and they had plastic wheels, which I rep;ace anyway.
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Virginian
Member since
May 2004
From: Ohio
1,615 posts
Posted by
Virginian
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 7:03 PM
pull better than some of their engines. Convert them to KDs and roll 'em.
What could have happened.... did.
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cefinkjr
Member since
October 2004
From: Allen, TX
1,320 posts
Posted by
cefinkjr
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 3:52 PM
usher42:
You certainly can convert those freight cars. They'll never be museum quality but I doubt that you're running a museum either. You will want to replace the trucks and add knuckle couplers. You might also need to add weight. The NMRA standard of 1 oz plus 1/2 oz per inch of length is a good one for optimum performance.
And [#welcome]
Chuck
Chuck
Allen, TX
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Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 3:21 PM
I have a Bachmann HO F9 di[esel ( Chessie) engine . I have frieght cars like box,tank,gondula,cabbose.. can i convert the trucks to standard trucks with knuckle couplers.. my frieght cars are in good shape too.
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claycts
Member since
June 2003
From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
2,047 posts
Posted by
claycts
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 12:50 PM
Welcome to the forum!
Tyco is no worse then some of the other brands on the lower end. Box cars= sheds, tank car=water or oil storage, flat car=crane base etc. Modify them do not tra***hem. It is called KIT BASHING and is part of the fun.
Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
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oleirish
Member since
October 2003
From: oregon
885 posts
Posted by
oleirish
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 9:18 AM
IMHO any car can be up-dated and used,if you get a good deal on tyco cars,estate sales ECT,ECT go for it.My self I injoy working on old cars.[:D]
JIM
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roadrat
Member since
August 2004
From: Maine
392 posts
Posted by
roadrat
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 6:40 AM
I agree with Antonio some of the tyco cars can be upgraded with new trucks and couplers and still look OK, but I would'nt buy any more of them.
bill
No good deed goes unpunished.
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AntonioFP45
Member since
December 2003
From: Good ol' USA
9,642 posts
Posted by
AntonioFP45
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 1:46 AM
Gary, .[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome]
What types of cars do you have? Some Tyco cars have potential. I have a 50 ft. wood deck Santa Fe flat car that came with a 1973 Tyco set my late father bought me. I modified the underbody and replaced the "snap in" trucks with Proto 2000 trucks and metal wheels. I'm going to body mount Kadees on her and repaint it as a "maintenance of way" car for my engine service facility.
If the cars look good to you, keep them. You can weather and dress them up. I wouldn't buy anymore though. If price is an issue, look into MDC, Bowser, and Athearn Blue Box freight cars.
For bargain priced decent locomotives, it's hard to beat Proto 2000.and Athearn Blue Box .
Tell us more of what you're looking for and we can be of better help
"
I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
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Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Tyco frieght cars
Posted by
Anonymous
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 1:29 AM
i have 3 engines ,2 use tyco couplers amd the onther engine use kadee knuclkle couplers with are standard types. . should i keep my tyco cars or buy new ones. Gary D.
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