Big Blue has inspired some purchases

[TMo]

Bought and installed some new Kadee knuckle couplers (the #148's are my go-to by default) for the 3 Bev Bel 2-bay Reading hoppers.  Had all three on the end of my coal drag and they were running well UNTIL I sent them down to the storage track.  On the switch ladders down there they would derail every time.  Added weight, still derailed.  Took a look at the wheelsets, which were 33" scale diameter plastic.  The inside wheel flanges were a tad too small in diameter, so every time they'd run through my first switch in the ladder they would get squirrelly.  Replace the wheelsets on one of the cars and I've been running tonight without incident with that car.  Ordered enough metal wheelsets with a gift certificate my wife got me for Christmas, and I think I might weather all three hopper bodies sometime this weekend in anticipation of getting the new wheels next week, when I should have some photos of them.