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I only have pros. I use both Kadee and other sprung trucks and when fitted with suitably weak springs they work really well.
I tweak them by extending the springs and cutting of coils to soften them.
I think it really equals the ride of the cars compared to the non-sprung ones that I have.
It is equally important to weigh the cars and have them weighing roughly the same,
I made a mistake myself in the beginning, I adjusted the springs first,
and when weight was added to it I had to replace the springs....
I adjust the springs so when the car is standing completed, the springs just about start to compress (there is a small gap in the block).
Then make sure they are soft enough by adding a 20 gram weight, then they should compress a lot. Otherwise you have to cut a piece of the coils.
I use this and it works.
It´s a bit tedious work but I find it rather fun actually.
No that´s not entirely true, the trucks can rock from side to side and back and forth if the screw that holds them on the bolster is loose enough.
I have my trucks mounted with the truckframes riding on the (scale-)plates on the bolsters.
That eliminates the dreadful side to side rocking motion and still allows for some back to front motion, it does however make the cars very sensitive to any irregularities in the track if they haven´t got sprung trucks.
Try it for yourself. It is really a difference.
The Kadee's actually can move quite a bit. The stiff springs can be a pain and cause a problem is torqued in the wrong direction. Weaker springs are definitely in order.
Well, the bottom line is, do sprung trucks ride better than solid trucks? How about on less-than-perfect trackwork? (the track at the club is old so it's not very good)
I would have to say no difference. Maybe worse if the springs are too stiff. Bottom line is that the rolling stock is typically light and not heavy enough to force the trucks through their movement, or at least not much. Backing off the truck screw a quarter turn on a standard unit probably does as much good. The spring trucks are more for show, and they do look good.
I think they are a PITA. tho I never have tweaked them. I had 4 freight cars with them and they seamed to derail more often than others. If you want the detail go with them. if you want to keep it simple stay with the standards. At the club we have about 40 cars with springs and I try to remove them from any train I pull as they have given more trouble than other cars. just my ,02
Well, the bottom line is, do sprung trucks ride better than solid trucks? How about on less-than-perfect trackwork? (the track at the club is old so it's not very good)
Supposedly the sprung trucks are a little more forgiving on less than perfect trackwork since they have some flex to them unlike molded rigid plastic trucks. The problem is to some modelers the springs are just too airy looking as opposed to the molded plastic ones.
My trackwork is extremely less-than-perfect and I have no problems with sprung trucks at all (E&B, Old Pullman, Kadee, and misc others). Not really that much more or less forgiving than solids on my layout at least, but they look better IMHO.
My trackwork is extremely less-than-perfect and I have no problems with sprung trucks at all (E&B, Old Pullman, Kadee, and misc others). Not really that much more or less forgiving than solids on my layout at least, but they look better IMHO.
