Large Scale Central

Rolling Resistence Test

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Ric Golding and I were talking about FN3 rolling stock, and how poorly much of the AMS stuff rolls. When testing my two 45T diesels in M/U operation I noticed wheel slip on level track when the pair tried to start a 5 car train. When Ric and I talked I mentioned that I should devise a test, then a standard for my railroad.

Last night I devised the test…

5 Foot section of clean straight track. One end set 2 inches above level creating a 3.3% grade (2/60). At the other end I placed a large car-wash sponge in front of a solid stop.

And a standard…

I’ve always been happy with how my Aristo/Delton Classic stock rolls with Aristo metal wheels. So I took one off the shelf with no special attention to lube or wheel condition and put it on the test track. Under 3% the car would not roll the full 5 feet. At 3.3% it rolls cleanly to the stop and compresses the sponge some.

So the CVSRy standard is: A car must be capable of free-rolling for a minimum of 5 feet (or just over 100 scale feet) on a 3.3% grade.

Early test results:

It was getting late so I didn’t get a chance to test much stock, but here are the results of 3 that I did test…

1:24 Aristo/Delton Boxcar: Free roll to stop

1:20.3 Bachman 2-Bay Hopper: Rapid free roll to stop

1:20.3 AMS Tank-on-Flat: Stopped after 2 inches. Only went 6 or so inches with a push :o

It looks like I have some work to do! I’ve already worked on my AMS caboose. By removing the track power pick-ups and lubricating the axles I have it rolling much better. I’m interested to see how it fares on the test track. Weather today is perfect, so I may need to move the test outdoors.

#2

The AMS cars are HORRIBLE rollers! The Bachmann heavy gear lube made a big difference on mine but still almost impossible with the “wipers” installed on the passenger cars/caboose. I love their stuff but cannot understand how anyone could release these to the public with such poor rolling performance. I did order a set of their BB wheels, curious to see what change that makes.

One of my J&S coaches was so bad that before I removed the wipers it sounded like it was dragging one concrete cinder block over another!

#3

Jon,

two tricks with the AMS cars,

  1. they need the little angles mounted to square up the side frames. if you do not have these call or e-mail Cliff and tell him how many cars worth you need. he sent a bunch to me free of charge. after lubing the axles you sometimes need to adjust these angles to get free rolling trucks but they do work
    2)I lube all my axles with labelle teflon grease
#4

I have a set of Accu BB wheel sets on one coach and a caboose. They do roll easier.
But having said that I don’t have much drag with any of my Accu trucks
after I tweak them and lube them.
I even use Accu trucks on all my scratched up rolling stock, and my PNG’s.
I can’t afford the Accucraft BB wheels sets, but I am considering sending down
Phil some Passenger trucks for him to retro his BB kits in them.

#5

Thanks Al. I’ve always found Cliff ready and willing to help. That is one of the reasons I keep buying his stuff. I know exactly the part you are referring to. When I next run cars through the service shop I will check for the angles. I also have some styrene stiffeners that came to me via Bruce Chandler that are supposed to do the same thing. I don’t remember who’s design they are - Bruce would know.

It was a great day to run tests outdoors today after work. I pulled all the FN3 stock I own out on the railroad behind M-10 and M-11 (w/no superstructure). 11 cars in total and surprisingly the M/U pair pulled it all the way to the top of the hill with no slippage.

I designated a 15 foot straight section on a 4% grade as my test track. There is about 12 feet of curve beyond then another 5 foot straight which are both nearly flat. At the end of that section I put my solid stop and car wash sponge. One at a time I released cars from the rear of the train and observed how far they rolled and took notes. The results are surprising!

The two best rollers are my AMS short caboose with the power pick-ups (brakes) removed. Next was Shorty who’s running gear is Aristo/Delton Classic, but has a lot of weight. Both of these cars went all the way to the bumper with speed and recoiled back at least 3 feet :slight_smile: The Bachman 2-Bay hopper was another shining star making it all the way to the bumper.

All the rest passed my test but stopped short of the bumper. The one dismal failure was my latest acquisition; an AMS Tank-on-Flat. I couldn’t even get it to go 10 feet with a strong push :o Guess that one is B/O until it gets a tune-up.

At the bottom of the pass list were my home-built wood flat w/Delton trucks (very light) and an AMS Gondola (also light).

Bottom line is; my AMS cars generally roll pretty good.

#6

My fix for AMS cars http://www.bronson-tate.com/parts.shtml With the new bearings and wheels they roll super and maybe too well Freight cars

(http://www.bronson-tate.com/images/parts/accucraft-truck.jpg)

Passenger cars

(http://www.bronson-tate.com/images/parts/BTT-02.jpg)

Rodney

#7

Very nice, but way out of my price range. Is a “set” 2 axles or 4. If it’s 4 the price is great considering wheels are included, but still more than I want to invest in my cars.

#8
Jon Radder said:
Very nice, but way out of my price range. Is a "set" 2 axles or 4. If it's 4 the price is great considering wheels are included, but still more than I want to invest in my cars.
Its for one car and I sure Doug gives a discount for order of 10. When you done your can sell your AMS wheels. I've been getting about a buck fifty a axle for them and that make them a lot cheaper in the long run and you end up with a lot better wheels.

Rodney

#9

Thanks Rodney. I might give a set try if I run into some cash :slight_smile: