Fred,
I run it with my geared Bachmann 1:20.3 engines. Remember, I work in that exacting scale of 1:21.4 ( half way between 1:20.3 and 1:22.5).
John,
I tried that for awhile and compared to the Bachmann 1:20.3 equipment it wasn’t as good. As I said, decided to try something because they became shelf queens and nothing else.
I like the larger size of 1:20.3, but live in the world of compromise.
Cleared Cookies, per Bob’s suggestion. Pictures posted and problem is resolved. Thanks again Bob.
Whenever your computer is acting sick, always have it toss its cookies
Hey Ric -
Disregard the email I sent. I hadn’t read your full post before firing off a note. Looks like you have the solution worked out.
Cookies???
chocolate chip???
Interesting fix. I’m expecting my AMS flat car (1:20.me photo contest prize) any day now, so it will be interesting to see how it performs compared to the B’mann flats. More to the point, it will be interesting to see if they’ve got the new tread profile that’s on the passenger cars. Those wheels seem to do rather well, at so much as I’ve run them.
Any thoughts to drilling out the journal boxes to accommodate ball bearings?
Later,
K
Kevin wrote - “Any thoughts to drilling out the journal boxes to accommodate ball bearings?”
Yes, I just don’t have access to the ball bearings. It was interesting in the process of the 5 cars (1 gondola and 4 flats) to note the difference of the bearing material. The flat’s bearings drilled easily with the residue turning to a very fine powder, immediately. The gondola bearing’s brass were tougher and peeled off in long strings of brass, but ended up snagging and spinning out better than 50% of that car’s bearings.
Next problem to attack with these cars is the air hoses hanging too low. Modified one last night by shorting the hose up about a 1/4 inch. This should be high enough to keep them out of the turnout frogs.
Nice job Ric!
Phil’s Narrow Gauge (link) offers a service to put ball bearings in the Accucraft trucks. I’ve read several reviews reporting excellent results using his Accucraft Freight, Caboose, Tender and J&S Passenger Trucks Service (link). He also offers Sierra Valley wheelsets as an option.
Phil is an LSC advertiser and his prices are very reasonable.
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Thanks Jerry. I think my fix will resolve the “Shelf Queens” for my needs. Future purchases will probably be mostly Bachmann 1:20.3 that come without the problems.
If they keep de-railing, I’m still gonna bad-order them… hehehe
Doug had to drag a combine that he wants to bad-order, too…
lmaoooooooo, Bruce, you gots it… I’ll reduce them down and make them all G-Scale…
Just make sure you don’t forget the first R in Order. But then again, maybe the combine needs a Bad Odor sign 
Now, Jon, that all depends on how long it’s been sitting out at Cat Dump…
HEhehe but Doug will just get mad and leave them at Old State Light and go get another train!
…grinning…
I did a very similar mod to my AMS trucks but found what may be a simpler method. There are brassbushings glued into the side frames. I use a tap and as the tap hits the bottom of the hole it pulls the brass bushing out. I then replace the brass bushing with a Aristocraft ball bearing which is a good fit for the hole and accomodiates the standard 1/8"axle for replacement wheels.
I do have to grind down the side frames a little but result as you report is very good.
Stan
