NOW i understand how some of you pull so many cars

[Anonymous]

i've heard that the newer rolling stock had different axles that roll easier- and i thought my rolling stock had free rolling axles-but i never understood how some people pull as many as 60 cars w/ 1 engine-then i got 2 fairly new cars in the bargan bin at the LHS- and they roll so easy- 2 new cars roll easier than 1 old one-so in theroy i should be able to pull twice as many new cars as old ones- so i did a test in the 2 track yard- i hooked the 2 new cars together on 1 track and 1 old car on the other track- and gave both "consists" an equal push at the same time and the new cars rolled out on to the mainline(at least 2') and the old car moved about 10"- i apologize for any typing errors, my computer won't let me go back & correct them it just erases letters i try to change[:(!]

[Darth Santa Fe]

If you replace the wheels on your older cars with Intermountain or P2K metal wheels they should roll just as well.[:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: if you replace the wheels on your older cars with Intermountain or P2K metal wheels they should roll just as well

those old cars aren't worth replacing the wheels
[(-D]

[csmith9474]

A truck tuning tool is definately a great investment as well. I never realized how much flash and excess plastic is in the contour (bearings/journal box) of a new truck until I started using this tool. I am finding grades that I never knew existed because my cars roll so nice now. They are about ten bucks and can be found in the Micro Mark catalog or maybe even your LHS (if you have one handy).

[MisterBeasley]

Replacing with metal wheels is also good for keeping your track clean. Plastic wheels leave a residue all the time.

Just replacing the wheels may not be the only thing that's necessary for smooth running. There may be a lot of friction from the trucks as well. Be sure to clean out the bearings before you put the new wheels in.

[Anonymous]

as i said before those cars aren't worth a wheel replacement - i want some new cars anyway

[csmith9474]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix

as i said before those cars aren't worth a wheel replacement - i want some new cars anyway

Even with brand new cars with plastic trucks, you definately want to ream them out with a tuning tool. You will notice a definate difference with how many cars you can pull.

[Anonymous]

i've also heard of putting a drop of lubricant on the axles so they roll easier-- if used spairingly would that help a little?

[csmith9474]

Lubricant will help, but can also get messy. The only time that lube is neccesary is with metal trucks that have wheels with metal axels. You would be amazed with how much having the proper contour can help.

[selector]

dingoix, did you inadvertently press your "insert" key at the grouping six keys just right of "backspace"? With one press, it will insert, letters to be corrected, but with a second press (not a "double tap"), it will replace the letter ahead of it with a new one, and forces you to retype the whole sentence.

-Crandell

[Anonymous]

Crandell, thanks for the tip but now it's typing fine- the problem comes & goes i will try pressing the INSERT key next time the problem crops up, thanks again

[selector]

It is intermittent, if you are of the same calibre in typing as I, because you sometimes hit backspace and sometimes insert when you are backspacing to correct an error. Computer does not think, "Jeez, make up yer mind!!" [:D]

[csmith9474]

When I hit the backspace key I sometimes hit the insert key by mistake. It was extremely frustrating until I figured out what I was doing. Oh well; live and learn.

[tstage]

dingoix,

Crandell, you beat me to the punch. Yes, if that happens again, dingoix, press the "Insert" button and that particular problem will go away.

QUOTE:
i've heard that the newer rolling stock had different axles that roll easier- and i thought my rolling stock had free rolling axles-but i never understood how some people pull as many as 60 cars w/ 1 engine-then i got 2 fairly new cars in the bargan bin at the LHS- and they roll so easy- 2 new cars roll easier than 1 old one.

There's hope for you yet, my friend. dingoix, maybe there will be a few more pleasant surprises for you when you finally get your first Proto 2000...[:P]

Tom

[JohnT14808]

dingoix....if you really don't WANT those older cars, I'll take'em off your hands. Older cars can be spiffed up and add a touch of class, if they are in the right era.

[Fergmiester]

I spiffed up all my old blu box Athearns anwhat a difference a good set of wheels will do. I would avoid the oil especially if your using "The Tool", which is the reamer they are talking about as it works miracles. P2K wheels are what I use and I am very happy with them. Oil will just gum up the wheels and track after a period of time.

Fergie

[Southwest Chief]

If you don't have the truck "reamer", get one now! An amazing little tool that ensures great running cars.

I had some old Athearn cars that had been relegated to the bad order list as they would derail, wobble, or just didn't run right. Well after trying out the reamer on the cars, they dramatically came back to life. I couldn't believe all the troubles were simply due to too much plastic in the trucks.

I'd also recommend Kadee metal wheels. I like Kadee because you can poli***he part of the wheel that runs on the rails and take off the black color. Then they look like real wheels with the part that rides the rail looking super shiny. Looks especially good on tank cars.

Here is a link for the truck tool:
Truck Tool

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: ....if you really don't WANT those older cars, I'll take'em off your hands.

well it's not that i don't want them -my point was they're not that nice- most of them are Tyco w/ a few Life-Like

[BRAKIE]

All of my Athearn RTR,BB Genesis,Atlas,Walthers,Intermountain cars roll more freely then my KD cars!!
I don't need the tool as my cars roll to freely as they are!! [:0][B)]

Guys,Don't underestimate the free rolling abilities of the standard Athearn truck with plastic wheels.!

Also with the new free rolling trucks on the market today one doesn't need the tool reamer or what ever the thing is called..Test your cars first then decide.
Remember the MOST IMPORTANT tool is the NMRA guage.

[Anonymous]

i can't wait to get some new freight cars so i can run longer trains- these would be nice:http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH93033 - those coalporters are avalible in BNSF but i like the NS ones-they beat Walthers 6 pack coal cars cause the Athearn car comes w/ a load(as does the atlas trainman open hopper)

[csmith9474]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

All of my Athearn RTR,BB Genesis,Atlas,Walthers,Intermountain cars roll more freely then my KD cars!!
I don't need the tool as my cars roll to freely as they are!! [:0][B)]

Guys,Don't underestimate the free rolling abilities of the standard Athearn truck with plastic wheels.!

Also with the new free rolling trucks on the market today one doesn't need the tool reamer or what ever the thing is called..Test your cars first then decide.
Remember the MOST IMPORTANT tool is the NMRA guage.

I thought the same thing until the guys at my LHS turned me on to the tool. Athearn trucks aren't the only thing on the market out there, and a lot of trucks need a little help. I use Train Station Products trucks quite often, and as good of a truck as they are, they do have some crud in there. And as far as an NMRA tool, isn't there a NMRA recommendation on the angle or contour in the truck that a truck reaming tool brings the trucks up to??