Micro Trains Civil War Sets..

[bbussey]

Are the CW cars injection-molded plastic, or resin?  If injection-molded, that's a huge investment for a one-time thing, unless the Smithsonian kicked in a large chunk of the R&D.

[DKS]

They are injection, with metal underframes. I suspect the Smithsonian contributed a healthy amount, given their name is emblazoned in large print on the packaging.

I've been looking closely at these things, wondering why the trucks were difficult to turn on some of them. Turns out they collide with the truss rods. 

[up1950s]

They are injection, with metal underframes. I suspect the Smithsonian contributed a healthy amount, given their name is emblazoned in large print on the packaging.

I've been looking closely at these things, wondering why the trucks were difficult to turn on some of them. Turns out they collide with the truss rods. 

So these were tested at MTL to be of Cadillac quality , and then that person before reporting their results was abducted by the big foot . I don't know of any N Scale manufacturer that has let a car out that hits an underbody member . I think MTL do a recall , re-engineer , and re ship . Would reduced flanges fix it David ? Archbar truck fix it ?

[DKS]

Would reduced flanges fix it David ? Archbar truck fix it ?

It's not the flanges; the top corners of the truck itself hit the truss bar.

[up1950s]

Well if one was going to use those trucks , and even settle them closer to the underfloor then the easiest fix would be to clip the rods ( plastic ) from the OEM queen posts . Make a new rod , then a 4 nail jig for coping the bends for other cars . That would be more prototypically correct than modifying the side frames IMO . Hopefully my archbar choice will not require to do those mods .

[up1950s]

Dave could it be that the bolster hole is not centered on the truck or bolster . If so then if the truck is 180 deg from norm it might cause the sideframe to hit the rod ?

[DKS]

Bolster hole is centered.

[up1950s]

An example of a model that looks proportionally more correct to me .

http://alkemscalemodels.net/ASMMain/CattleCar.html

[sharriso]

Two 1856 examples from Panamint Models, including wood-beam trucks.  Those are Atlas wheel sets.




    Shawn and Sally Harrison
    - Modeling 1850s B&O

[SkipGear]

Because of the extremely short wheelbase of the trucks, do they really need to swivle all that much? Look at the Atlas 4-40 tender, all wheels mounted solid and it works fine. I can't imagine a 36' car with probably a 24-28' wheel base needs that much swivel to handle moderate curves.

[DKS]

Because of the extremely short wheelbase of the trucks, do they really need to swivle all that much? Look at the Atlas 4-40 tender, all wheels mounted solid and it works fine. I can't imagine a 36' car with probably a 24-28' wheel base needs that much swivel to handle moderate curves.

On one car I have, the truck touches the truss rods while it is straight; any swiveling at all causes interference.

[SkipGear]

On one car I have, the truck touches the truss rods while it is straight; any swiveling at all causes interference.

David,
 Which car is it because this shot shows plenty of clearance...

[up1950s]

That shot angle is not a good shot to show clearance , except if the sideframe corner was at its closest to the rod when taken .

[SkipGear]

That shot angle is not a good shot to show clearance , except if the sideframe corner was at its closest to the rod when taken .

Its actually a very good angle to show clearance. On a dead on side shot, it may look like there is interference but the truss rod could be a couple mm behind the truck frame and actually nowhere near making contact.  That angle shows that there it at least a 1-2mm clearance between the truss and truck frame. It may hit when it swivels but it is nowhere close when running straight.

[up1950s]

Dave said some of the wheels were coming off . Maybe one or more truck is wider , that would account for the fall out , and the rod hit . Are these side frames glued to the bolster , and some are not seated all the way ?