I have not built a lot of Branchline cars, only 2. I have 26 inch curves and
I found that the biggest problem was that the wheels would hit the center
sill and so I trimmed part of it off so that the trucks can swing without
hitting the sill or any other parts on the underside. As for the vertical
movement, I too noticed that this appeared to cause a problem. So on one
wheel set, I have the screw somewhat loose. The other truck is snug, this
way I don't have a "rocking" car. With these changes, I have very little
derailments when ever I do run the cars.
I am a firm believer that there are several things one MUST do to insure
smooth operation of your equipment:
1: All equipment MUST meet the NMRA weight standard, anything less will
cause problems.
2: Coupler height and clearances must meet Kadee standards - if using Kadee
couplers.
3: ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS use your NMRA guage to check the wheel specs. I
have found wheel sets that were both under and over spaced, which will cause
nothing but derailments! This includes top mfgr's so don't ASSUME just
because you spent $1400 for a brass 4-6-4 or a $60 on a Branchline car, that
the wheels are within spec.
4:Wheel sets must roll FREELY, anything else will cause a drag (making your
engine work harder) and on a long train WILL CAUSE derailments on curves and
switches.
I always test my completed car by letting it roll down my 3% grade. It must
roll freely and move into my curve without hesitation. That is how I was
able to find the problem with my Branchline passenger cars. Infact, one of
my new BWL CZ cars stopped half way down. On checking the wheel alignment, I
found that one of the wheel sets was either too wide or too narrow - don't
remember which way. After correcting this, it rolled as smooth as a baby's
butt.
I am sure that there are other things that one should do to insure a smooth
opertion of one's equipment - this is just my imput.
Good luck.
Ray Bedard
San Jose CA
>From: "Dale Reeves" <drale99@verizon.net>
>Reply-To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
>To: <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: Re: [CBQ] Branchline Passenger Cars
>Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 17:43:21 -0400
>
>I read Scott Myers' remarks about his experience with Branchline passenger
>care kits. I have built five NKP passenger car kits and have had some of
>the same problems Scott mentions, such as keeping cars on the track, etc.
>I
>have been struggling with my cars for months, unable to keep them on the
>track, and having various difficulties with the trucks.
>My kit building has been sloppy, which has added to my problems. I've had
>to upgrade some of my work, which has helped. I find that absolute
>ballance
>seems to be essentail, and I have had to play around with weights to get
>lateral balance, which helps. I have also added weights to the trucks,
>with
>some improvement. I, like Scott, would like suggestions as to what trucks
>to substitute for the kit-furnished trucks. Dale Reeves
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Myers, Scott V." <svmyers@southernco.com>
>To: <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
>Sent: Monday, July 10, 2006 8:23 AM
>Subject: [CBQ] Branchline Passenger Cars
>
>
> >I recently completed a second Branchline passenger car kit. This one
> > was the 14 section Pullman car. The trucks are giving me fits, as it
> > constantly derails, even on my 36" radius curves. The problem seems to
> > occur on curves on a grade, as opposed to level curves. Have others had
> > these problems with these cars? I ran it with Walthers cars, and they
> > have no problems with the same spots where the Branchline car derails.
> > It appears to me that the large flat surface on the car underbody to
> > which the trucks attach may not allow the trucks to move vertically,
> > unlike the raised circular screw insert used for mounting most trucks.
> > I loosened the screw considerably so that there was a lot of play
> > available between the trucks and the underbody, but this did not fix the
> > problem either. I am wondering if the answer may be to replace the
> > trucks, and if so, with what? Anyone have any suggestions as to how to
> > remedy this problem?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Scott Myers
> >
> > .
> >
> > <http://geo.yahoo.com/serv?s=97359714&grpId=17127&grpspId=1601043004&msg
> > Id=25018&stime=1152465182>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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