Trucks causing derailments

[NP2626]

There are a couple threads going here on kits, where to find them and how to modify them etc...

Naturally the subject of replacing wheels, couplers and trucks comes up. I'm a proponent of Proto 2000 wheels. Once I weather them, I really like how they look with the shinny treads. Most of the other modellers responding like Intermountain wheels. I can understand this, as I have plenty of Intermountain wheels sets as well and they work just as well as my Proto 2000 wheel sets. Everyone is pretty much in agreement that Kadee couplers are a good choice.

As far as trucks go, I pretty much use the trucks that were in the kit box, unless they don't work; or, there is something visually wrong with them. What are some of the problems you have found with trucks, who makes the problem ones and other than a $9.00 pair of Kadees, what other manufacturers makes good quality?

I can see "dog tracking" as a problem that would make me toss a truck away. Also, the wheels sets not fitting correctly, falling out, not able to spin freely, etc. Maybe bolster problems can cause trouble.

Thanks for your answers!

 

[Cjcrescent]

The vast majority of the truck problems I come across is that the journal needs to be reamed out some for the axles to really spin as the should.

Micromark and others, sell a device called "The Tool". It is used to properly ream the journals out to allow for the best free rolling. It slips into the journals itself and enlarges and smooths out the surfaces. An easy to use, and vital tool for anyone.
Cost was around $10 when I got mine.

Used to, to get this effect, you had to use a drill in a pin vise.