Bluford Car Shops USRA 30'6" 2-bay hopper roll problem

[Dave V]

I just scored a 3-pack of the Bluford Car Shops 2-bay hoppers lettered as PRR GLd. They're very nice looking and I was excited that they came with metal wheels.

Until I tried rolling them.

And before it's suggested that the 11" radius curve is to blame, 1) a nominal 30 foot car should do just fine on that radius and, more importantly, 2) they roll just as poorly on a straight track.

So... Has anyone else encountered this, and is there a fix I'm missing? My first step would be to shoot Grease-em into all 24 journals, something I don't relish.

[Chris333]

Could they wheels or axle be rubbing the coupler box?

[Rasputen]

I had this issue and found that the axle was rubbing on the coupler screw.
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[Dave V]

That’s almost certainly the problem! I’d rather not have to shim the trucks and change the ride height. What was your solution?

[Chris333]

It was so long ago, but I think I changed out the screw or counter sunk it more.

[samusi01]

You might also consider different wheelsets; I had a similar problem with ExactRail hoppers and swapped out the OEM wheelsets to ESM. No issues since.

[Rasputen]

Like Chris, I had to take a sharp drill bit and increase the countersink in the coupler housing.  Simply tightening the screw more was not the answer.

[southernman]

I had this issue and found that the axle was rubbing on the coupler screw.
(Attachment Link)

Same

[crrcoal]

Was/is Bluford aware of this?

[thomasjmdavis]

My USRA hoppers are from the first run, and have Fox Valley wheels (as did the early runs of the offset side hoppers, 8 panel hoppers, war emergency hoppers, and 3-bay hoppers as well).  Mine roll so well that I've used them to check level on sidings.  I suppose it is possible that I countersunk the screws deeper (they look fine now), but I don't remember doing it. 

Somewhere along the line, I think because of supply problems, Bluford changed to using other wheels (or, at least, there is no longer a stamp above the bar coding stating 'this car is equipped with Fox Valley Models metal wheels').  I do have a 3 pack of 3 bay hoppers from a more recent run that have some other wheel, but... haven't had a layout to run them on since I acquired them recently- they are still in the factory shrink wrap.

None in my collection have an axle as thick as the one shown in Rasputen's photo.

[Dave V]

Was/is Bluford aware of this?

This'd be my question. I've never had a negative experience with Bluford so this seems wildly out of character.

[Chris333]

The same exact problem. For me it was way back when the hoppers first came out.

[Rasputen]

I sent them the same image many moons ago, but they didn't seem to understand what I was getting at.  What made me notice it was the terrible squeak that came from the metal-on-metal rubbing.
This was probably from the first run as well.

[thomasjmdavis]

Here's an old thread that mentions problems with Bluford hoppers that have Andrews trucks (not sure if this applies to any of the issues being noted on this thread).  Do any of you who are experiencing the problem have hoppers equipped with Andrews trucks?  (all of my USRA cars are C&EI, which were bought used and updated in the 1940s, and the models came equipped with AAR trucks- which might explain why my experience is so much different)
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=39548.msg483757#msg483757

[nstars]

It has already been some time ago but as far as I remember the first run of the two bay hoppers had an issue with the ride height which caused the wheels hitting the body. I know that Bluford Shops was aware of it as I got some washers from Craig at one of the NSE conventions. It was caused by the truck which turned out to be a fraction lower than original anticipated when the cars were designed. This was corrected in later runs.

Marc