Rapido N scale Draper Taper

[ek2000]

I received my Rapido N scale draper taper today. Runs and sounds great but I did notice some body wobble/play side to side.  You can put your finger on top on the body and sway the model a bit without the wheels lifting off the rails. At some points like curves, the wobble is noticeable while in motion. I compared this with other models like my Atlas Alco s2, I cannot move the body side to side without the wheels losing contact with the rails. Has anyone else noticed this?

[Narlie]

Check that the gears are are properly seated . Spookshow had them fallout when delivered. Also the unit does use traction tires, a wobble cause?

[ek2000]

The trucks and gears seem to be fine and the model runs exceptionally smoothly.

The wobble/play is on the body when the trucks are firmly on the rail.

I'm thinking of removing the traction tires to increase the electrical footprint. Will that cause a problem in terms of wheels not being level? I'm not sure if wheels with traction tires have a greater groove/depth to accommodate the thickness of the traction tire.

[peteski]

I'm thinking of removing the traction tires to increase the electrical footprint. Will that cause a problem in terms of wheels not being level? I'm not sure if wheels with traction tires have a greater groove/depth to accommodate the thickness of the traction tire.

That's the typical design. If there was no groove to retain the tire, it woudl likely just slip off the thread.

[ek2000]

That's the typical design. If there was no groove to retain the tire, it woudl likely just slip off the thread.

Thanks. Makes me wonder why Rapido went with the traction tires in this model. Despite being geared in only 4 axles, the 4.6 oz / 130g weight should have given good adhesion and traction. I weighed a few models to compare - the BLI E8 comes in at 3.76 oz / 107 g and the BLI centipede, which is a much longer model comes in a little over 4.77 oz / 135 g.

[basementcalling]

Thanks. Makes me wonder why Rapido went with the traction tires in this model. Despite being geared in only 4 axles, the 4.6 oz / 130g weight should have given good adhesion and traction. I weighed a few models to compare - the BLI E8 comes in at 3.76 oz / 107 g and the BLI centipede, which is a much longer model comes in a little over 4.77 oz / 135 g.

Traction tires were probably cheaper than gearing all six axles? Dunno. I am biased against traction tires as they were a sign of a weak, cheap mechanism back in the early days of N scale. They work ok on some steamers, but I've never had any luck with an N scale diesel that used them.

[skytop35]

This won't help your problem but have you tried Function 22 yet?

[Narlie]

I prefer CV21. Should be applicable after mid January

[ek2000]

I examined the loco more closely today. The play is a result of the wheel tips being able to move up and down where they make contact with the axle housing. In other atlas and bli models I checked, I cannot move the wheel ends up or down, they are firmly fixed. I haven't removed the trucks but it seems to me that the hole where the wheel tips plug in is larger than required thus permitting the wheel tip to move about inside its enclosure.

I have another one in the mail, will be comparing the two.