Batch-building freight cars - 7
goal is high-quality, operational cars, I use Kadee couplers and,
if necessary, will change trucks and/or install metal wheelsets.
Start by putting together a truck, and see how it rolls. Does it
pass muster? If the answer is yes, plan to use the trucks sup-
plied; if not, find some reliable replacements.
Some kits require quite a bit of skill to set up the couplers
and trucks to run well. There are times when getting the
materials supplied with the kits to operate well becomes
more trouble than it is worth. An easy solution to this prob-
lem is buy high-quality replacement trucks and couplers pre-
installed in pockets.
Everyone has their favorite couplers. If you are new to the
hobby, I recommend Kadee 58s, due to their reliability, ease
of installation ,and better scale appearance. One option worth
considering for difficult coupler installations is to buy couplers
which are furnished installed in a box, such as the Kadee #78.
Using these can often speed construction and produce a more
reliable coupler setup.
I will generally use
whatever wheelsets are
supplied with the kit
unless there is a prob-
lem with the wheels.
When replacing wheel-
sets, the first decision
is whether to use metal
or plastic wheels. You
will find lots of opin-
ions on this issue. I use
both plastic and metal
wheels on my layout
with equal success. If
I need to replace wheelsets, I choose metal. There are lots of
options for replacements – Intermountain wheels bought in
bulk are a popular option among many brands, including P2K,
Kadee and others.
I don’t replace the trucks that came with the kit unless there
are problems. When considering replacement trucks, I usu-
ally am looking to match the prototype or the trucks that
came with the kit. I prefer rigid frame trucks and tend to go
with either P2K trucks or Tahoe Model Works if possible.
There are lots of brands out there offering a wide variety of
options and prototypes.
Painting trucks and wheels
Trucks and wheels look better when you kill the shine and
muck things up a bit. I have done this by hand for years, and
only recently started using an airbrush for the job. If you don’t
10
10: These are trucks that were
supplied with some PFE kits.
Several wheelsets and trucks
were replaced after they were
found to operate unreliably.
11
11: Here are four different brands of trucks. From left-
to-right are trucks by Proto 2000, Atlas, Kadee, and
Tahoe Model Works. All of them operate well and look
good. There are so many different types of prototype
trucks that it is hard to make broad generalizations
about which truck goes with which car. When I have to
replace trucks, I try to find an authoritative source, or I’ll
go with the trucks that are the closest match to the ones
that came with the kit.
MRH-Mar 2014
