Question re 6-wheeled trucks/bogies

[RobertInOntario]

[quote="RobertInOntario"
As a general rule of thumb, the Athearn heavyweights are not very close to being accurate. Very few heavyweights were 70' long, 75'-85' was the norm. Those under 80' usually had 2-axle trucks...unless they were head end cars (which were usually shorter...sometimes 60'). The 2-axle trucks were NOT at all like the 2-axle trucks from Athearn (which are post-1939 trucks). Both the light and heavyweight Athearn cars were intended to be caricatures of real cars to minimize the overhang on tight curves. That is why they are noticeably shorter than the premium priced passenger cars from Branchline, Rapido, Walthers, and brass. Other manufacturers have offered 2-axle trucks which would be correct for heavyweight era cars.


What is the problem with the couplers? Is the trip pin snagging on stuff? If so, trim it off or adjust it. If the knuckle isn't closing, either the metal spring is missing or it had a plastic spring which is sprung. If the coupler head is off, perhaps either adding washers in between the trucks and the car or replacing the coupler with either an under or over shank variety.

Michael

Thanks for the background, Michael, especially regarding the history of these cars. This makes me want to consider replacing them with more accurate 4-wheel truck coaches -- maybe I could do this gradually since they (the more accurate ones) cost so much more.

The couplers occasionally uncouple, usually after going through some curves. I suspect that the problematic couplers are the "non-Kadee" knock-offs that come with the Athearn coaches.

One day, I hope to have a large layout that is totally flat and has nothing tighter than 22"R curves!

Rob