Life Like Boxcar

Seated Viper Oct 26, 2011

  1. Seated Viper

    Seated Viper TrainBoard Member

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    Among the assorted freight cars I've bought "USED" and unboxed is a Life Like one, in Western Railway of Alabama livery, with running number 17250. As part of my policy of using MT trucks and couplings, I changed those fitted when I bought it to MT units. It runs, but it isn't what I'd consider to be "free running". It seems to be binding somewhere, but a close look at it doesn't show anything obvious such as flanges scraping the underside of the body. I don't have this with the other Life Like vehicles I have fitted with MT. Any suggestions for a cure, please?

    Regards,

    Pete Davies
     
  2. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Obviously you have checked to see if the needle point axles are seated. I have had a few defective MT trucks where the frame cup for the needle point axle end was the problem. Couple of gentle turns with a No. 11 Exacto blade fixed that. It was like all the drill residue or flash had not come out. Short of that bent axle causing slight out of gauge or wheels rubbing on truck side frame.
     
  3. Seated Viper

    Seated Viper TrainBoard Member

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    John,

    Thank you. Yes, the wheels spin well enough under finger pressure, but not when on the track, but I'll try some other sets to see if there's a difference.

    Regards,

    Pete Davies
     
  4. Bruce-in-MA

    Bruce-in-MA TrainBoard Member

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    I have some LL (Bev-Bel) boxcars that run better with Accumate trucks/couplers.

    As for the MT's, I think there are some small washer fittings that come with the trucks that I'm guessing might help raise the trucks away from the under-body. I've never used them before myself.

    I've had similar issues running MT's on my Delaware Valley Cylindrical hoppers. They mostly start to bind up on curves.
     
  5. Seated Viper

    Seated Viper TrainBoard Member

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    Bruce,

    Thank you for that. I've now used different wheelsets within the trucks , and different trucks straight from the box, but there is no difference in rolling ability with the car on the track - others of this brand (a MOPAC boxcar and a MOBILGAS tank car) are fine. Next Atlas I get, I'll try the Accumates under the W of A.

    Regards,

    Pete
     
  6. PW&NJ

    PW&NJ TrainBoard Member

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    Pete, have you tried using the washers that came with the MTL trucks? And are you using the original kingpin or the MTL one? Sometimes the MTL kingpin doesn't fit right and the temptation is to use the original, but that may not fit correctly in the MTL's mounting hole. I usually take a small round file and open the MTLs up a tiny bit to remedy that. And sometimes it takes doing that AND adding the washer to get it to run right.
     
  7. bobthebear

    bobthebear TrainBoard Supporter

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    I agree, it's probably in need of the spacer washers. I have had the same problem. I have got plenty Pete, so you can have some.
     
  8. Seated Viper

    Seated Viper TrainBoard Member

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    PW&NJ,

    Thanks. I've used the MT pin. I've just tried exchanging the truck from under the box car with those from under the LL MOBILGAS vehicle: the boxcar trucks under the tank car run as sweet as anything, while those taken from under the tank car won't roll under the box. The answer, then, seems to lie with the boxcar. I'm wondering if I should try fabricating a new chassis from what we over here call plasticard or similar, or the trucks from under my next Atlas (the suggestion from Bruce), or just retire it!!!

    Bob,

    Thanks, I've tried the washers, too, and I have a good stock from my purchases from our friend Penguin.

    Regards,

    Pete
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 27, 2011
  9. Seated Viper

    Seated Viper TrainBoard Member

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    Further to "8" above, I've now had another attempt at using washers. Clearly, I wasn't doing it properly first time. It's fine now. Thanks for all your suggestions. I KNEW somebody would have the answer!

    Regards,

    Pete
     

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