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Walthers Track Bumpers—Don’t Waste Your Money

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  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Saturday, November 20, 2021 3:25 PM

JPD,

15 or so years ago I picked up the 12-pk kit of the unpainted Walthers track bumpers (PN 933-3511) and assembled them with Testor Liquid Cement.  (Plastruct Plastic Well would be a better choice.)  Using CA, I reinforced the bottom side with two strips of 10x10 scale lumber (so that they fit in-between the ties) and they actually work and work quite well.  They are also removable:

I used a Athearn BB F7 as my test locomotive and it stopped it cold at runaway speed.  If you're interested I have a how-to tutorial for making them working bumpers.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Saturday, November 20, 2021 3:10 PM

I recently purchased a package of those, or I think it's the same ones.  I will be assembling them soon.  I guess maybe something like Parr adhesive/sealant should work, or maybe Aleene's Tacky Glue.  But, if they don't stand up well, they're kinda useless.

In years past I have crafted the often seen timber and gravel ramps or bumpers.

 

JPD
  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Holt, MI
  • 227 posts
Walthers Track Bumpers—Don’t Waste Your Money
Posted by JPD on Saturday, November 20, 2021 1:25 PM

Yesterday I received the Walthers Track Bumpers, part 948-83109, I had ordered. I went to install them today. I noticed a burr on the top of all of them. I took a small file and with the first stroke, and it was not a hard stroke, the bumper fell apart. I tried gluing it back with SuperGlue, but it would not hold. I then tried using Plastruct Bondene and it would also not hold. I tried gluing another one to the track ties and it would not hold. I do not know what kind of plastic this is, but whatever it is it is flimsy and does not handle glue well. I would not trust these bumpers to stop a locomotive going at a moderate speed from blasting through the bumper to the floor. 

I do not want you thinking that I would purposefully run a train at high speed into any bumper. But I have grandchildren and visitors who might do so accidentally. I am not willing to risk my equipment on these flimsy bumpers.

In the past I used Tomar Industries Bumping Posts, they are a lot more expensive, but as they are made of soldered metal, they are strong and easy to install as long as you remember to isolate them from the rest of the track. I guess I was penny wise and pound foolish.

 

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