Improving rollability Prairie Shadows/Rapido 1st release CN PSC Caboose

[Narlie]

My idea to improve the PSC caboose. Gave up on the lights and did not find the suggested fix (spreading the frame on the truck) for rollabilty a reliable option.
My fix.
Take a Micro-Trains 1185 caboose trucks kit
Shave/file down the provided bolster bushing, leaving just enough so in will not slip through bolster hole.
Mount the truck using screw that came with caboose.
Take note the 1185 bolster hole is not centered between the axels. 
Orient the truck so the wheels will not jam with the steps of the caboose.  Trucks with centered holes will not work.
Hope this will help someone trying to run their PSC caboose.

Note The 2nd release (Spring 2025) of the PSC caboose does not have this problem as there are no lights and the truck does not have metal inserts for electrical pickup.

[lock4244]

While rolling is generally considered a desirable trait in rolling stock, the one advantage to the first run is their ability to combat the slinky effect of MT couplers.

Thank you for the post, I might give this a go. Rapido did offer replacement wheelsets, however the didn't produce enough to cover all built as far as I know... I was able to get one set for the 15 PSC vans I bought. They were a noticeable improvement on the one van though.

[dandopinski]

I snipped off the LEDs on the circuit board so that only the marker lights were lit. The interior lights were brighter than an arc welder, and an unnecessary feature.

[craigolio1]

I agree that the interior light takes away from the awesomeness. It’s is BRIGHT. I only have one and was able to get the replacement wheels from Rapido.

For those that want to keep the electrical puck up, I wonder if you could switch the wheels with some from a Kato caboose. A split axel set where you can use a press to adjust the position of the wheels in the axel?

Does it use wipers or axel cups? I can’t recall.

Craig.

[sd75i]

  Are these all sold out?  When I go to their website I can't seem to find them?  Thanks

[Westcoast_Trains]

I found that simply replacing the wheel sets with the BLMA fine scale metal wheels really enhanced its "smoothness". I have a few of these and I am a very big fan of Prairie Shadows work. Customer service is second to none. The wheel sets were really the only thing I needed to do to get it to roll nicely. I found the rapido wheels that come with them to be not very smooth and would constantly pick turnouts. Since the change, zero issues.
saw someone asking if they were still available, last time i checked there was very limited stock, it doesnt stick around long.

[sd75i]

 I figured it out.

[nkalanaga]

Interesting.  They won't sell to US customers?

[craigolio1]

Interesting.  They won't sell to US customers?

I believe it’s because of the tariffs. Several Canadian outfits I know of aren’t shipping to the US right now. Rapido has a warehouse in the US so new products destined for the US are imported directly. Same with Canada. But as far as I know they aren’t shipping between as they’ve decided to absorb some of the costs. Not really relevant though to the OPs post as he’s asking about the first run from several years ago which aren’t available from Rapido. People have been crossing over between those ones and the latest release… which had no lighting.

Craig