I have around 15 cars on the RIP track for bad trucks. What happens in one bolster seems to ware faster than the other and wheels flanges are no longer straight across from each other.
1 2 Top
__ __ Flange
I I
__
__ Flange.
Bottom
Hope you can get a idea from above. I have replaced in the past but tonight I got to wondering if I uses my truck tuner and cleaned out some material from the bottom of the # 1 bolster if it would fix the problem? Wheels are PK 2000's so I cannot adjust them and are in gauge. I have tried flipping the wheels set but the problem is still there.
Thanks for the coming answers.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Can't really understand the hieroglyphics too well but I've found the truck tuner requires a gentile touch, ask me how I know this. I can say I've seen where they get so bad they aren't usable any more but don't seem to have that problem with the better wheel sets like Kadee
The hieroglyphics did not turn out as well as I was hoping.
Ken
cudakenThe hieroglyphics did not turn out as well as I was hoping.
You lost me somewhere between the king sitting sideways on a throne and the jackal-headed woman with her eyes akimbo...
How old are these trucks? I can't imagine wear on HO-scale trucks doing that. I've had to replace trucks, but they were ancient relics with real springs.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Ken, If I interperate your drawing correctly, what you're calling the bolster is actually journal wear of the truck. Mr "B" mentions that HO trucks shouldn't show wear like this, under normal conditions this is true, however I have seen this happen with continuos running of heavily weighted rolling stock and speed on tight turns. Many may not see this trouble, however, from your past postings, I conclude that you really do some serious running. If there is a potential looming problem, I know you will find it. The manufactures should use you for testing their products....
Once the plastic of the journal wears to the point of skewing the axles, no attempt of reaming will correct the problem. Excessive reaming w/ the truck tuner will actually allow the needle of the axle to ride lower, If you do this for a quick fix do ream all the journals.
To remedy the problem, the tracks do need to be replaced. To possibly extend the life of trucks, try turning rolling stock to spread the wear across both trucks.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Ken, what brand or brands are these trucks? Cars?
I've seen some hard display layot running and never seen modern trucks wear out.
Sheldon
Thanks for all the answers. Right now I have a Round House Bulk Head flatbed, Bachmann Silver coal hopper, one Cheap Bachmann 40 FT box car and about 10 Athearns.
Far as run time, only god knows how much time they have on them. One of my Athearn Flat cars is on it second pair of trucks. I replaced the first set with Genesis roller bearing trucks on 07-26-07, it started picking turnouts about a month ago.
Far as age, I would say they where all built in the last 5 years so far as MRR stuff, not that old. But, as many of you know for a long time I was running the trains 40 hours each week! I am now down to 6 to 8 hours a week.
Weight, I do over weight my cars, from the days of pulling 60 plus cars. I still run long trains, but more to the tune of 25 to 40 cars.
Far as turns, my 18 inch turns are gone. Still don't have 32 inch like I would like but most are 22 to 24 inch now.
The side lined cars are not a big deal, I have over 300 cars and can only have room for 200 max on the layout. I all so have around 5 pairs of new Athearn trucks, and if I can find them pair of Round House trucks for the Bulk Head car.
What I am missing is a new truck for the Bachmann Sliver coal car.
Now, if the journal is the part the axle fits in, what is a Bolster? I have been using the term Bolster for years and did pick up the term from the site.
Thanks for all your answers and time.
cudaken Now, if the journal is the part the axle fits in, what is a Bolster? I have been using the term Bolster for years and did pick up the term from the site. Thanks for all your answers and time. Cuda Ken
Ah, grasshopper, you need to go and explore this site more. Check out the glossary of terms section. You will find your answers there. Once you are able to remove the peebles from my hand you may go.
The bolster on the truck is the piece between the sideframes that has that round flat part that the truck mounting screw goes through. The bolster on the car is that narrow area that has the round pivot that protrudes into the truck into which the truck mounting screw is threaded. See: http://en.mimi.hu/modelrailroad/bolster.html
Ken, are you saying that if you set the problem trucks on a flat countertop, and carefully lifted the cross frame between the sideframes (the pivoting frame with the screw hole that keeps the sideframes with the axles embedded in them from separating), that one or both axles would sag quite visibly in one of the sideframes?
What I call the cross frame is called the bolster.
So, you lift the bolster flat and level just enough that at some point one or more axle ends sags lower than the others....right?
That means excessive wear, a sloppy journal that has worn to large in diameter. The sideframes are kaput.
-Crandell
Maybe a few pictures will make the problem a little clearer.
See how the rear axle is dropped down and the flanges of the wheels don't line up?
This next picture shows the same truck flipped over on the other side.
Flanges are now in line, camera angle makes them look a little off, but they are straight now.
Now I know the proper terms, there is nothing wrong with the bolster but the bearing box is worn on the second axle.
Thanks again.
Looks like wear and tear from long running. I've had this happen on some of my rolling stock. Replace the trucks. The real railroads do it all the time.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
cudaken Maybe a few pictures will make the problem a little clearer. See how the rear axle is dropped down and the flanges of the wheels don't line up?
Maybe it's just the camera angle, but there seems to be quite a bit of axle sticking out of the left wheel set in your picture. Almost like it isn't seated properly. What's going on there?