Issues with ScaleTrains trucks/wheels and couplers

[robertjohndavis]

I have been fortunate to collect about 50 new freight cars this year. Finally got to run most of them today.

Everything from MT, Atlanta, ESL, Trainworx and Intermountain ran great.

The dozen+ covered hoppers from ScaleTrains were the exception. They derailed a lot and didn’t seem to like my Kato turnouts. The boxing glove couplers were also not very even. I found about half the trucks had the bolster screws over-tightened and adding some relief there seemed to work.

A lot of the trucks seem to have precious little tolerances. Wheel sets falling out has been common during the first hour or so of running.

Visually, the cars are gorgeous. Stunning, really.  But I am wondering if new couplers and new trucks/wheelsets are required if they are to run as good as they look?

What’s your experience with ST rolling stock?

Rob

[larry p mahoning division]

I have had no issues with mine. The track is Atlas code 80 with Peco #8 and #6 turnouts. I have grades of 1.12 percent and 1.25 percent while running 50 car trains with DPU"s about 2/3  from the front end. None of the wheels have came out nor did the trains separate during 9 hours of continuous running during my open house. I do have the Scale Trains cars mixed with other brands as well as coupled to each other.

[Bob]

I have 16 of the ScaleTrains covered hoppers - I had issues with one truck on one car, but the other 15 have been great.  I use Atlas Code 55 throughout.

[propmeup1]

Only issue I had is one both my turbines. All the couplers just fell apart and this is normal use. No dropping on the floor or crazy hard couplings. Mark at ST understood. They sent some replacements. Thank you, SC

[jpwisc]

I replaced the couplers on my 5188 hoppers with MT, which improves the coupling, but all the cars run great. I do double check the wheel gauge when I weather them.