I bought a few of these Trainworx Sacramento Northern (go figure) Gondolas that come with MT trucks. Unfortunately, the plastic wheels pop out of the trucks very very easily. I read in the comments on the website I purchased them from that others were having the same problem. Any ideas what the root of the problem is? Or a fix beyond installing new trucks?
For a fix, just take the wheels out, squeeze the truck ends together with your fingers a bit, and re-insert the wheels. Works most of the time, easier than anything else. The problem seems to be more and more common with new MT trucks lately (I had some similar issues with some IM reefers.) I wonder if the tooling for the new wheels is just a bit off, or if the tooling for the trucks has gotten old, or whatever.
I agree with "robert3985". It is some "whatever" thing. I have seen this several times with different types of trucks. It's not always the same ones !!! I first started seeing this when M/T started to release the Red Circus Train, so it isn't exactly new. Still irritating ,though !!! Trust me, they have heard about it a couple times !!!
I wonder if those little spring things used on one axle end to provide a little friction to avoid coupler-run-in would help. Don't know, have only bused them a little. Just wondering...
The springs may work in some instances, but I have found trucks that were beyond jagged ben's squeezing. Install one end of axle, and I could actually see the point on the other end !!! I usually put a flat white stripe on these trucks and they go into a separate bin in case I need the coupler parts someday. Most of the time the squeeze works just fine. If not, they get what GF calls the "Junk Stripe" !!!
These aren't Tonka Toys and as such require a bit more care in handling. I discovered (telling on myself) that when I get heavy handed the wheelsets pop out. Or, if one my feline critters walks across a train car, stepping on it, you can bet a wheelset popped out. Fixable by just slipping it back into place.
The old UK outline Graham Farish - before the sale to B'personnn - had the same problem. I can't help but think it has something to do with the hardness or otherwise of the type of plastic used for the frames. Regards, Pete Davies
I too just squeeze the truck frame if the wheels fall out too easy and it has always worked for me over the 39 years I have been in N-scale.
Carefully remove any that are on cars, remove the wheels and gently bend the sideframes inward. This is talked about all the time, both for freight and passenger... don't know why so many don't bother searching posts first.
I have had my small share of trucks exhibit the same issue, although not all MT trucks, and basically considering my number of cars with MT trucks probably not more than 1% or less. After applying some basic thumb and finger pressure I have had a few that did not want to retain their shape. My solution there was the old tried and true hot tap water solution. My tap water temp is around 130 deg. F. and after soaking in it a minute then applying pressure I have found that the truck retained it's new shape when cool.
I always search. Even though I'm new to model railroading, I'm very familiar with forum etiquette. It was the comments on the product's page (from the e-tailer) that made me think it was more common with a particular type of truck. I'm very careful and organized with all of my model railroading. And I don't reckon I've run these cars for more than 5 minutes total. Prior to posting this, I had tried the squeeze method as that seemed like common sense. But the plastic seemed I guess....more elastic. Meaning they don't seem to stay "pinched" onto the wheels. I appreciate the help! Noah
I first noticed this several years ago when I received the first of the circus train cars. On examination, it appeared that the wheel sets were just jammed into the side frames causing gouges from the axle ends. It appeared that MT had changed the thickness of the side frames on the trucks and that's when I started having wheel set dropping issues. Yes, I'm careful but just picking a car up will cause the wheel sets to drop out. Tried pinching the ends of the side frames to avail, they still dropped as the side frames relaxed and regained some of their former straightness. The baggage cars quickly received sets of the Kato 6-whel trucks done for the Santa Fe HL diner and similar to the trucks under UP baggage cars. As for the freight car trucks that I've purchased recently, the same gouges and the same issues with the wheel sets.
All the MT truck side frames have a miniscule notch that assists in placing the axle point, at least mine do, and not a gouge as thought. However just as metal can be tempered and detempered the plastic has a memory if it stays in the same shape long enough. That is why the hot TAP WATER trick. Note the emphasis on the hot tap water. The standard for domestic hot tap is 130 deg. F. to keep folks from scalding themselves in the shower or bath and that is plenty hot enough to cause the plastic to slightly soften. Using higher heat risks damaging the plastic. Only takes about a minute in that water and then holding the ends pinched in until the truck frame cools. Simply put it forgets it's memory of how it was originally shaped and takes on the new shape after cooling. Usually both ends of the truck frame need to be done. The problem is not an exclusive to just MT trucks as I have seen this with MDC/Roundhouse, Atlas, and even some of Bmanns old thick sideframes, and others. My thought is that one cause may be simply unmolding the truck sideframe too quick in the manufacturing process before it has completely cooled which may explain the random occurrence since I have never had a complete 10 pack have the issue and often only one out of 4 or 5 packs will have the issue. One other Issue that can cause this is the axle not getting fully set in the recessed sideframe cup during assembly. The axle point then holds the sideframe out and after months of laying in the box it develops the memory of the current shape.
I think I already sounded off on another thread started by the same OP. Tonka toys these are not. When I get heavy handed or one of my feline critters steps on a train car you can bet I've popped a wheel set loose. It's an easy fix with a push and nudge they go right back in. Good to go until the next time.
