Tuning and Operating the BLI California Zephyr

[richhotrain]

jmayer

I know this is a very old post, but wanted to say how helpful Mike's comments are. I recently bought what looks like a NOS 11-car BLI Zephyr mixed set on eBay (still had silica gel packs in each box). I ran into the same problems with derailments running the full set. I shaved down the flash on the king pins as Mike suggested, and did some lubrication which helped a lot. I also added weight to the baggage car. But the trucks just aren't very free rolling, which I think is the essence of the problem. All the drag amplifies any issues - it's the cars at the front that are jumping the tracks.

Question: I have some wheelsets that are out of gauge - that's the next step. Did you take the truck apart to regauge? I'm concered about breaking some of the plastic. Any tips?

 

Thank you!

Jim, Louisville, KY

 

 

It is a very old thread, and I am always quick to criticize reviving old threads, but in this case I see why you chose this as your first post. 

As I read through the thread, I cannot help but wonder if your best course of action is to replace the trucks. I see where Mike got some new trucks from BLI, so you might want to start there.

Another possibility would be to just replace the wheelsets. I use Intermountain wheelsets on all of my rolling stock.

Rich

[jmayer]

Rich, thanks. I've since gotten one of the trucks apart since posting, and will look at replacement wheelsets first, then potentially replace the entire truck. 

Jim

[richhotrain]

jmayer

Rich, thanks. I've since gotten one of the trucks apart since posting, and will look at replacement wheelsets first, then potentially replace the entire truck. 

Jim

 

Good luck, Jim.

Keep us posted.

Rich

[jmayer]

So wrapping this thread up to help anyone searching in the future, I have the entire 11 car train now running reliably. In addition to the other recommnendations at the top of this thread I lubed the wheelsets and regauged several of them. I also ensured the couplers swing freely by shaving some of the edges of the mounting pockets.

But the most significant discovery is that with many of the trucks, the wheel flanges were dragging against the outsides of the sideframe casting which curve around the outside edge of the wheelsets. I think the added drag was causing derailments. So I carefully trimmed back the flange cutouts so the wheelsets would roll freely.

[richhotrain]

jmayer

So wrapping this thread up to help anyone searching in the future, I have the entire 11 car train now running reliably. In addition to the other recommnendations at the top of this thread I lubed the wheelsets and regauged several of them. I also ensured the couplers swing freely by shaving some of the edges of the mounting pockets.

But the most significant discovery is that with many of the trucks, the wheel flanges were dragging against the outsides of the sideframe casting which curve around the outside edge of the wheelsets. I think the added drag was causing derailments. So I carefully trimmed back the flange cutouts so the wheelsets would roll freely. 

Good job on finding the problems and fixing them.  

Rich

["JaBear"]

Talking to Mike the other day, I mentioned this thread had been resurrected.  He was “tickled pink” that it was still helpful.

Cheers, the Bear.

[riogrande5761]

Talking to Mike the other day, I mentioned this thread had been resurrected.  He was “tickled pink” that it was still helpful.

Cheers, the Bear. 

 

I miss Mike, fellow Rio Grande fan.  Glad to know he is still kicking.

[Caldwell Mike]

tks   very good job

["JaBear"]

riogrande5761

Glad to know he is still kicking.

Mike is certainly kicking. Being the Superintendent, amongst other hats, of the NMRA Illinois Terminal Division, getting into HO Scale USA Fremo modules, and with the philosophy, that a model railroad is never quite finished, Mike is not letting the grass grow underneath his feet.

Cheers, the Bear.