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I believe 33" dia. wheels are correct for the Roadrailers. I used to have a 36 unit train with JayBee wheels and it ran great, forward and reverse, on curves as tight as 24" radius. If you do end up with a Roadrailer train, it is imperative that you get Plano's Coupler Mate detail kit. The difference is stunning and it takes very little effort to add to your Coupler Mate.
I've been operating a 25 trailer swift train for years, and the damn things will operate over almost any kind of track with trouble. I have no trouble backing the train up, but you do need to keep the truck screws as tight as possible but still turn freely. Any looser and the trailer will lean causing more trouble. I highly recommend the models,as it IS the best operating train that I have. I did not add weight to the trailers, and I can back it upgrade up a helix.
That may be my problem, loose trucks. I'll check them later this afternoon. If they are loose, I'll get the trusty screw driver out and remove the weight in those that have it. Not all are weighted, just the troublesome ones. Maybe a dozen or so.
My set up normally consists of over 100 Triple Crown trailers. My layout is large enough to handle them with ease. No tail chasing. I have no trouble running forward, but backing the train into a siding or the yard is a problem.
I received a couple of "Triple Crowns" yesterday that I had ordered from Bowser. I'm really impressed with their appearance and quality. They are ready to run, which surprised me, as I had assumed they would be kits. I might add that they are weighted too. Overall, a nice addition to my collection.
Tom
Tom,
Do you mind posting some photos to show how the details are looking now. Mine are not very new and I would love to see if they have changed the tooling. I want to upgrade the rims and tires on the trailers as well as the wheelsets with metal wheels.
Dave
Yes, Bowser still makes them and has them in stock. I placed my order over this past weekend. I think this may be a new run. I don't have my camera right now, but will try to get some photos in a couple of days.
Tom
Thanks Tom I can't wait to see what you have. I don't know why but I really like these trains. I've nver seen one for real but I'm sure they are cool to see. I have 12 now and 6 more on the way. I plan on more in the future as well.
They do still make them and you can also get them from Walthers if you don't want to order directly from Bowser.
Dave
Tom,
Do you mind posting some photos to show how the details are looking now. Mine are not very new and I would love to see if they have changed the tooling. I want to upgrade the rims and tires on the trailers as well as the wheelsets with metal wheels.
Dave
Dave,
Here are a couple of photos for you. Sorry about the quality though. They might not provide the detail you are looking for, but it's the best I could get out of my camera. By the way, the trailers and the coupler mate came with metal wheelsets and the trailers are weighted. I see these trains quite a bit here in the Pittsburgh area. They are quite unique and I always enjoy catching them when railfanning.
Tom
That's nice Tom, where in the burgh do you see these? I live in Pittsburgh before and it wasn't till I moved away that I started to railfan. I try to get out there every time I get to Pittsburgh because there are a lot of great areas there.
Dave
Hi Dave,
I usually see them at Glenfield, which is off Route 65, the Ohio River Blvd. There is a little community park right along side Norfolk Southern's main line. It's a great spot to catch everything going into and out of Conway Yard. Leetsdale is another spot I like. Sometime you can catch some switching out at the Industrial Park there.
Tom
