I'm getting a little concerned about my intermodals. They're mostly Walthers 5-unit well cars so most are die cast. I thought that several 4 axles could handle the job but they just can't do it. It's not even that long of a train either and it's mostly empty! Is my track just dirty? Do I really need more six axles? It's prototypical to see just two four axles doing heavy intermodal work(GP60M's!). I want a lot of Alan kit's but what if my engines can't handle it. I only have a handful of engines so I don't want to use all those on one train. Advise, tips, anything?
what grades do you have on your layout and what type of locomotives are you using? Alan's cars with MT trucks run very smoothly and wouldnt be a problem compared to the wlathers cars.
How tight are the curves? What percentage of grade? It's possible that changing trucks might also help. Perhaps what you have are not free rolling. Maybe somebody else could address this aspect. Boxcab E50
I changed all of the trucks to Micro Trains, and it helped allot. Before, I needed 3 SD40-2's to drag 25 of them around on the flat in the yard, but after changing to MT's, 2 will do it. MT trucks roll much better.
Put on low profile MT wheels and add another 1/3 more cars. Oh yeah, they'll look better and track better too... Tony Burzio San Diego, CA
I agree w/ changing the trucks. I also have some of the Walthers stacks - and not all of the wheelsets rolled freely. Once I changed them to MT, they rolled much better.
I have the same problem, on a 25-car set of 5-unit drawbar-connected MDC hi-side gons. The MDC trucks were so bad for friction, that when I replaced 10 cars' worth with MT roller bearing trucks, 2 tunnel motors would pull what took 4....
Aside from adding extra units, changing over to MT trucks, I'd suggest adding extra weight to your 4 axle units. Personally I don't like the look of model locos lights so I remove mine. I then add weight in the place of the light bulbs and pc board. Example my B40-8's were good for 17-19 cars, after I added the 1.8 ounces of moldable lead weight they handle 36 cars each. The same amount of lead added to an SD-45 resulted in a 28 car pulling capacity. And remember 4 units on a long string of intermodal is rather normal on the former ATSF main. Joe
Wow, thanks guys! I'll get on that when I get to it. I still have a lot of work on the control panals and the track isn't 100% straight and ballasted. But yeah, I have 2 brand new Katos and a new LL GP60 along with older LL engines and Katos. It's a flat grade but I think you're all right about the MT trucks. So I'll try that along with the Alan kits.
