Atlas Rolling stock losing their trucks?

SleeperN06 Apr 2, 2015

  1. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    How is it that every Atlas car I buy from eBay has at least one truck completely unattached and the pin floating around in the box?
    I’ve also had the pins pop out while running around the layout. Should I be looking for a screw to replace the pins? I don’t want to lose any value by doing that and maybe there is another way to keep them in.
     
  2. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    First of all if you have any MT truck sets check using one of their pins. Their mounting parts sprue in addition to having the washers for ride height adjustment, usually have two different sized bolster pins. 2nd would be to apply a very small drop of glue around the mounting hole inside the hole so that when it dries it will have a small amount of friction that may hold the truck. Best done with something like a sharp point straight pin to ensure it gets inside. Don't attempt to install the truck pin until the glue is dry or you may have a non swiveling truck. I recommend a very thin glue that is fast drying not the thicker glues. One could use ACC but it is tricky in that one must make sure it stays in the hole when replacing the pin or you have a locked up truck.
     
  3. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks John!
     
  4. DougSluder

    DougSluder TrainBoard Member

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    Another trick to try is take some pliers and squeeze the end of pin slightly. This will cause the pin to be somewhat larger in diameter and have a tighter fit.
    Doug
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've used this trick many times. Quick and easy- It works!
     
  6. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, If I ruin the pin can I buy replacement pin without the whole truck?
     
  7. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Check Atlas parts but I have bought trucks and pins there in the past. And MT also sells parts for their stuff. Tried a search in Atlas and came up with replacement pin for a single sheathed boxcar.

    MT part number N00312030 is listed for the pin used to replace trucks on Atlas cars with MTs.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 2, 2015
  8. rrjim1

    rrjim1 TrainBoard Member

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    I have pins fall out of all brands of cars, not just Atlas. When it happens I use a very small amount of goo in the hole were the pin goes. It holds great and if needed you can easily remove the pin down the road.
     
  9. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    I replaced the pins with screws that I got from Micro Fasteners. If you plan on selling the cars on Ebay in the future you have to list them as 'used' anyway. I fail to see how using screws would negatively affect their value. Prices on the 'bay have increased significantly since last year mirroring the increase in prices from the manufacturers.
     
  10. DougSluder

    DougSluder TrainBoard Member

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    Johnny B,
    Micro trains does sell replacement booster pins: N 00312030 (1034) Replacement Bolster Pins (Atlas Type, 24 pieces)
    [​IMG] N 00312031 (1039) Replacement Bolster Pins (MDC Roundhouse Type, 24 pieces)
    N 00312032 (1086) Replacement Bolster Pins (12 pieces)
    [​IMG]
     
  11. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks guys I guess I'm ging to try a little glue and order new pins in the mean time. I remembered after reading rrjim1's comment that I also have a set of MP hoppers with lose pins. I haven't ran them in a while because of it and figured I would replace them with new MT trucks, but i have so many cars that it would cost me a fortune to replace them all.
     
  12. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I agree with the guys who squeeze them at the end with pliers. It makes the end oblong and "bigger" in one direction and it will then fit tight in the hole.

    I have some I did that way probably 45 years ago and they still stay in.

    Doug
     
  13. retsignalmtr

    retsignalmtr TrainBoard Member

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    I have the same problem with the truck pins falling out with may of my Atlas cars, even cars purchased new. I also deform the pin with pliers when reinserting. But I also have problems with the wheels popping out of the sideframes on Atlas cars. Can't deform them.
     
  14. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    What ever the science or laws of Physics it seems that plastic can develop a memory and reform its self over time. Maybe it is due to pressure if not placed back in its box completely right or maybe due to whatever, the wheels get outside their little truck side frame cups and cause to plastic to eventually deform while in storage who knows. When discovered and the axle points are returned to sit in the side frame cups the fit is sloppy and usually they work quickly out.

    My cure has been to place the truck minus wheels in hot tap water, as hot as one can get and let them sit a minute. Then remove the side frame and gently squeeze the sides together and hold for a few seconds then plunge the truck into cold tap water while still holding the sides together for about another minute. Doesn't take a lot of pressure and the plastic seems to hold its new shape that the axle points now stay in their side frame cups. Problem is not simply an Atlas problem but one that seems to have been encountered with all brands of trucks even MTs. My simple little cure has worked about 90% of the time. Trick is not too much pressure or one can bend the entire truck frame and not just the side frames. Once in a while I have had to reheat a 2nd time to get it right but not often and it saves chucking the truck into circular file #13.
     
  15. christoph

    christoph TrainBoard Member

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    I have replaced most of my Atlas plastic wheels by FVM wheel sets. In some cases it helped to use a wheel set with the next longer axle size instead of the "proper" size for Atlas. This is a matter of try and error.
    It is really helpfull to have a good supply of FVM wheel sets of different axle lenths so one can find the best fit for a particular truck.

    I think I should try John's method one day.
     
  16. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    Another solution I have used in the past was to take an Exacto knife and cut a tiny bit off of the end of the pin. Then drop a very small bit of Hobby-Tac into the bolster hole and re-insert the pin. Takes some parctice to get the right amount of Hobby-Tac but it works. Another solution is to use Eileen's tacky glue in the bolster hole. Just get the glue in the hole and not outside it. A toothpick works well for this.
     
  17. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    John, I like your hot water idea. Could be good for softening plastic in other situations too like building kits.

    Doug
     
  18. SleeperN06

    SleeperN06 TrainBoard Member

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    A lot of ideas here and I have enough cars to try all of them. Maybe I’ll record each one with a solution and see how long they last.
     
  19. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    An interesting idea. Let us know if you decide to follow through.
     
  20. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    Been the cure all for some resin kit stuff and trucks that managed to get bowed out due to being stored for awhile with a wheel resting on the needle points of the axles rather than in the cup. Have also used it with sheet styrene stock to get a curvature started. Built two Quonset huts by using hot water and some rubber bands to impart a permanent curvature in the stock. The maximum that domestic hot tap water is supposed to be set at is 130 deg. F. and that is what I use. Temperatures higher than that may damage some plastics. Don't try a hair dryer, and don't ask me how I know.
     

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