Lowering FVM PS5344 boxcars

[cjm413]

Appreciate the comments Mark @Mark5 !  I used 3/16" Evergreen channel (SKU 266); it was the narrowest that I could jam the Micro-Trains 1015 guts into.

I had to sand the "top" to fit snug against the bottom of the etched platform, and as you can see there are a few ugly gaps in the closeup!

While doing this work, I realized that the ends of these Fox Valley cars are why they sit too high.  The end ladders sit too low - they should line up with the side ladders.  Otherwise these are great cars, they just need a little TLC in the ride height department.

  Frank

If you aren't adverse to Accumates or McHenry, brass tubing with a set screw may be another option

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=21980.0

Instead of making a "lid", remove the part of the tubing so that the front part of the draft gear rests under the end platforms and the bottom part could be mounted to the underframe

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[Frank Amato]

@cjm413 good call, I had forgotten about that thread!  As good as the LEZ/FT couplers look, I need Micro-Trains compatibility for switching ops.

I will definitely check the LHS stock for brass tubes next trip, looking ahead to additional body mount projects!

  Frank

[cjm413]

@cjm413 good call, I had forgotten about that thread!  As good as the LEZ/FT couplers look, I need Micro-Trains compatibility for switching ops.

I will definitely check the LHS stock for brass tubes next trip, looking ahead to additional body mount projects!

  Frank

I used ESMC Hydra-Cushion underframes on the FMC 5283  since they also have the Hydra-Cushion cylinder that is visible under the car in addition to extended draft gear designed for MTL 1015's (I used leftover Accumates from my parts box).

The body still sits a bit high on the ESMC underframe, but I'll eventually circle back to them and make additional modifications to lower them a bit more.