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
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.
MRH-Mar 2013
