Z Scale Truck and Coupler Guide

[DKS]

http://jamesriverbranch.net/clinic_2.htm

Be prepared for a BIG surprise...

[tom mann]

Wow, Will did a good job!

[Chris333]

Oh man...

This right here:
http://jamesriverbranch.net/images/hopp_ft_F.jpg
Is exactly why the "Bowser Buckler" is the $hit. And I may actually get back into Z with these. Every single car I own has to have it's couplers sucked inward to be acceptable (by me) and these new Bowser trucks would fix all that instantly. Plus metal wheels! I'm in heaven.

Does Bowser make these in house? Because they aren't far from me.

[csolivais1979]

Well done, Mr. Smith.

And as for Micro-Trains dragging you over the coals, well in the words of Colonel Nathan R. Jessep, they just can handle the truth.

[tom mann]

David,

I would strongly encourage Will not only to ramp up production and sell those trucks and couplers separately, but also produce 70 and 100 ton roller bearings!

[scaro]

Well done David.  Another great article. 

For those few who want to know a bit about Marklin wagon wheels, they do at least two types - a steel disc wheel which has been available in the good old shiny bright metal finish for years, and is currently offered in blackened metal. 

There is also, on a very few wagons - the Easter and Christmas 'novelty' beer vans being the only ones I've found, and on steam loco tenders, a 'spoked' version with an insert section of plastic spokes. However the wheel is metal backed, so the spokes are not 'see through'.

The axle on the spoked wheels is stepped from 1mm to about 0.5mm diameter, so this wheel requires care when removing, as it can easily be damaged.  The spokes may vary in colour depending on the loco, eg, some are grey:

http://www.exact-messebau.de/minilok/P10.htm

 but the ones used on the beer vans are all black. Both wheels vary from 4.33 - 4.44 mm in diameter. 

I have used the disc wheels in narrowed N scale MT trucks (for Nn3) without any need for bearings -they look OK and roll like a dream.  Can't fault Marklin on their craftsmanship. 

Ben

[JR59]

David, thank you for the incredible article!

[DKS]

Does Bowser make these in house?

As far as I know, yes.

And this is the tip of the iceberg.

[Rowan]

Thanks for a great article.

 

[Sokramiketes]

Per your commet about nobody mentioning the MTL trucks were undersized before... I know Charlie Vlk was on top of this many yars ago.  Here's one thread:
http://www.railimages.com/grapevine/showthread.php?p=313579#post313579

Also, you menion that AZL hit the bulls eye on "over all" proportions.  Yet, my eye says that the AZL 100 ton roller bearing truck is too short heigh wise, even if it has the proper wheel base.  You might want to address the height, or clarify that you are only looking at wheelbase.

I've been chomping at the bit since hearing about the Bowser trucks/coupler.  I can't wait.

[DKS]

Per your comment about nobody mentioning the MTL trucks were undersized before... I know Charlie Vlk was on top of this many yars ago.  Here's one thread:
http://www.railimages.com/grapevine/showthread.php?p=313579#post313579

I've been chomping at the bit since hearing about the Bowser trucks/coupler.  I can't wait.

Thanks for that thread. 2002! I shall update the article.

[Sokramiketes]

Per your comment about nobody mentioning the MTL trucks were undersized before... I know Charlie Vlk was on top of this many yars ago.  Here's one thread:
http://www.railimages.com/grapevine/showthread.php?p=313579#post313579

I've been chomping at the bit since hearing about the Bowser trucks/coupler.  I can't wait.

Thanks for that thread. 2002! I shall update the article.

Thought I could update my post before you got here but didn't... please also see comment about the AZL truck proportions above.

[tom mann]

Some sagely observations from a younger Chris333 in that thread.

[DKS]

Per your comment about nobody mentioning the MTL trucks were undersized before... I know Charlie Vlk was on top of this many yars ago.  Here's one thread:
http://www.railimages.com/grapevine/showthread.php?p=313579#post313579

I've been chomping at the bit since hearing about the Bowser trucks/coupler.  I can't wait.

Thanks for that thread. 2002! I shall update the article.

Thought I could update my post before you got here but didn't... please also see comment about the AZL truck proportions above.

You're right about the proportions, and I was referring only to wheelbase. I'll make this clarification.

[Sokramiketes]

From Trainboard:

...I know there are those who have little to do with their lives other than find fault with us...and as George noted, be oblivious to the errors of others. Sad for them really...because we all make mistakes but we try and that counts for a lot in my book. We have two choices as I see it, enjoy the hobby and encourage others to bring their collective expertise to the table, or we can narrow our focus and try and make a name for ourselves making assumptions in posts or editorials that have little bases in reality. I think the first allows us to enjoy the hobby and the latter is only satisfying to the blogger and does no one any good. We made a huge mistake, and some are happy to see that because it validates some paradoid perception of MTL the rest of us see it for what it was...human and move on. We hope to do better next time, we will continue to make mistakes, nature of the process I guess. But hey, some famous guy said once that bad publicity is better than no publicity! )

Joe
MTL

Damn bloggers who only satisfy themselves...  :

I don't understand this "woe is me, we try hard" arguement.  Does that work for anyone else in their jobs, or just when making toy trains?