Micro-Trains QUAX kits. Fun but confusing

After the confusion about the missing/cut chocks on the new kit received (tank) I proceeded with the assembly of the box car kit (talked about in a separate thread).
Once I understand the cryptic chains I will work on the tank kit.

Platform truck chocks-
The chocks were a bit tedious to remove, file and glue in place but worked out fine.

The rail box kit -
My first time working with true scale coupler boxes-(wow they are tiny) box car frame/shell/rungs/coupler kits all installed along with box car chocks, this all worked out fine.

Chains-
??? Here is where Micro Trains just tells you to refer to prototype picture. This was not helpful in the least.
The template has 4 types of chains with 2 letters to decipher…
assuming R = Rear??
assuming F = front??

but what is L and what is U ??? lower and upper would not make any sense that I can understand because the picture does not represent any upper or lower config.

Has anyone else assembled this kit and figured out the orientation of the cryptic chain letters?

Even knowing what chain config is that is going to be the biggest challenge to attempt to install under box car.

Pics as to where I left off:

Assembled up to chains


Chain template -

 

I got the flat with the tank, but after taking a look at it I decided that this was going to be a more difficult kit to put together than just a one night project. I'm sure somebody out there has put these together already.

 

I put this off about 5 days before jumping into it...yes it is intimidating.
It would be more attractive to folks if MTL provided better insight.

Technically without the chains I can still enjoy these on the rails but...it's the unfinished challenge bothers me.

The 4 types of chains are just to tiny to guess after box is glued to flat. Plus they appear to have required bends possibly to glue as a tab(?) - but again no detail from MTL to help.

I'll work on my tank kit today up to chains install.

(by the way I used Walthers goo in case something went wrong, strong enough to still use but forgiving if need to take apart)

 

Good point, I still need to be careful removing the chains from the template since I think there might be required tabs I need to bend to glue on the underside, not sure if that is clear in my pic of the chains-it is the slightest definition of a possible required bend in the metal.
This is good info to think about.

 

Kind of a long shot here, but I wonder if the mounting of the tanks (the armed forces kind, not tank cars) on the MTL DODX heavy duty flat car might be of help. There are different size chains holding down each of the tanks.

This link over to the MTL site should work:

https://www.micro-trains.com/index....ks/dodx-flat-car-cascade-green-3pk-1-99301610

 

Micro-Trains includes the same etching for the chains used to tie down the Abrams army tanks as shown below.



Carter

 

That is interesting, I see how the long chain works with the tank but not for the box car.

I wonder if Micro-Trains just puts this chain template with all flat kits needing chains and you just have to figure out what you need.

 

Now i have begun the quax tank build.

My initial complaint back to the online hobby shop when I purchased this was because one of the truck sprues was cut off - they informed me it came from Micro Trains this way.

So I began the box car build since it had all of the truck chocks. And as shown holding off till i can figure out which chains to use.

Anyhow back to the tank car - Now that I know there are extra chocks I began the tank build - BUT I am now to the point where it wants me to add some items I just did not get in the kit...

This first pic is all of the items I have for the tank (truck chocks installed as seen) everything seems to be here but the nest and ladder.
The second pic is where MTL talks about adding the crows nest and a ladder but not to add the ladder to scrap side of tank.

Traindork can you do me a favor and let me know in your kit what that crows nest and ladder look like?
I think my kit was messed with prior to my purchase with now 3 items missing.
The Crows nest and ladder seems to be missing in my kit

 

WFOJeff you're missing the crows nest and ladder and its one piece. Check all of the foam areas, mine was stuck to one of the compartments.


I started on my Railbox set today. I agree with everyone, the instructions are little confusing and missing some detail. Below are few items that I found that and what I did to correct them.

1. Wheel Chock template is not notched around the grab irons and won't sit flat. I cut a notch on each side to allow the template to sit flat.
2. Wheel Chock template is a good tool, but it's oversized and the instructions show placing the edges tight to the outside. For my template that was not correct, it should have been to the inside. I used CA glue and was lucky to be able to break them free and reposition. I would suggest that you verify which side of the template is correct and use white glue or Goo to allow for adjustments.
3. Chain set. Is definitely a generic set and as mentioned in an earlier post is the same as what is supplied with the military tank sets. The FU, FL, RU and RL only make sense with military tank sets. I'm currently thinking about using the A-Line brand of chain and using the ends of the supplied chains to add some detail. I took the photo below and I'm plan to use this layout for my tank car set. I'm still looking for a good boxcar photo. Hopefully the photo helps with the placement and detail.

 

Thank you rhoag74
That was a very helpful tip that my missing crows nest and ladder is 1 piece, I'll browse around my workbench a bit more but both kits were on my greenboard. If I can't find it I'll assume it was missing and contact Micro-Trains.

That is a great picture to help with the visual.

It's a shame the chains template ended up as you described.

I do have some actual micro chains that I think I can cut and attach in place instead of a template chain.

I had a feeling the use of goo would be smart as you pointed out about axle chocks orientation.

[Crosses fingers to find missing part]

 

I'm also missing the ladder and crow's nest.
I'm curious. My tank is a CTCX 730992. Is this the same number everybody got?

 

You're Welcome WFOJeff

I have some A-Line 40 links per inch chain and it looks much better than the Micro-Trains template chains. I also have some very small brass rod (can't remember the size) that will fit through a link that I'm going to use for the tie-down loop as seen in the photo. I will post some photos when I have my chains and tie-downs completed. Below are a few more photos that might help with the chain placement.

 

CTCX 730992 is the road name and number I have. I'm pretty sure they only made one set. The pieces in my set where jammed into the packaging. I'm betting that with amount of loose pieces and tight packaging spacing that it was very easy for the person packaging the kits to miss some pieces.
I would reach out to MTL ASAP to get the parts you need. I think the cars (tank or box) are standard models they make all the time, so they should have a bunch of spare parts, but you never know.

For everyone with the TTX kit don't forget to look inside the boxcar. Some of the parts for the kit are inside.

 

I assembled both kits in one evening. The chains I test fitted where I thought they'd be, decided they were not worth the effort and left them off. Given the response from other modelers at the club, they were not missed. I have both the tankcar and boxcar load. This was my first experience with the scale couplers, way to small for my needs, but they do help make the load look better on the flat.

 

After some extensive workbench searching and frantically looking through the foam insert I can now say officially I do not have the crows nest/ladder.

• Looks like a call to Micro-Trains...

On a separate note I also am not going to bother with those template chains - there is no way I can get my fingers to install in such a tight space.

I'm going to use my micro chains I have and do something similar to the proto picture provided - working from the outside will be much easier. Hope to have the box car chained this weekend.

Since I can't complete my tanker now and not knowing if I do chains before ladder/crows nest if it will cause problems.

I put these chains next to the tanker and are pretty good looking to scale, 18 inch length to work with on both salvage kits.

 

Nice to see what my tanker will eventually look like with that crows nest/ladder once Micro-Trains can ship it to me. (thanks for the pic)

 

Micro-Trains to send out the new crows nest/ladder.

Once i have that I can tinker with those micro chains...

 

Received the Crows Nest/Ladder form Micro-Trains. Now to get this completed and work on chains for both units...