Well, catually yesterday evening, but if you consider that a day on the Jewish
calender begins at sundown, I guess this qualifies.
The SHABBONA RR SHRB plug door boxcars have received paint, and now await
lettering. Since they have already been placed in service, that may take some
planning, to say nothing of time, in view of other priorities.
I took the wheels from a pair of older American Models trucks so all the SHRB
cars would have new looking black trucks. Since I had no scale AM wheelsets, I
decided to try some old Miller RP-25 wheelsets in the AM frames. Now, the
Miller wheelsets have blunt axle ends, while, as is common knowledge, AM
wheelsets have needle point axle ends.
Therefor, I took a 5/64" drill and drilled out openings in the AM truck
journals so they would accept the Miller wheelsets. I'm pleased to announce
that this was an astounding success. I've always liked Miller wheelsets, as
they are high quality and perform well, although Code 125. Their profile is
such that they don't seem to collect dirt on the wheel tread surfaces as much.
I also tend to favor blunt axles, because if a wheel pair is not exactly
centered on the axle, the side play will allow them to center on the track
gauge. There's more, but that's beyond the scope of this message.
The idea that comes to mind is, if the Delrin truck journals begin to wear in
operation, and there is some evidence that this is occurring, replace the
needle point wheel sets with blunt sets and brass eyelet journal bearings, ala'
the Ace trucks of years ago.
I had already done this with a pair American Models heavyweight four wheel
passenger trucks because I didn't have a set of needle point 36" wheelsets, and
didn't want to wait for any. Rolling qualities, while superb, do not quite
approach that of some of the newer trucks on the market, but, on the other
hand, a sneeze from a visiting train master won't send cars catapulting off the
end of the track, either.
Also, a little stiffer rolling qualities virtually (no, "completely")
eliminates any false uncoupling with the craft magnet uncouplers I use, which
can happen with freer rolling trucks when uncoupling magnets attract them and
create slack in the couplers.
I have some needle point journal trucks that I have replaced for this reason,
but may equip them as described and put them back in service.
Bob Nicholson __________________________________________________
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