How do you use a Micro-Mark Tuner on a Talgo truck?

[Warpiper]

I was all excited earlier today. I got my Intermountain wheel sets this week, my HO clearance gauge came in, and my Micro-Mark truck tuner arrived today. I went to insert the tuner into a Talgo truck and I snapped the side frame off. I tried again on another truck and the frame looked twisted and I could not rotate the tuner. Turns out the black band on the tuner is pressing against the part that connects the coupler to the truck. Is there a work around for this or am I going to have to modify the truck or buy a different truck?

Thanks.

 

[gjohnston]

I experienced the same thing. My solution was to as gently as possible insert the tool in the truck and gently pull the coupler attachment piece away from the tool. That gave me just enough clearance to rotate the tool. After following the process with fifty cars my fingers were definitely sore but the cars run great with the new metal wheels. I also changed out the horn hook couplers for Kadee whisker couplers. That was a bit tricky as well as the coupler height had to be adjusted on some of the cars. Some of the attachment points for the couples needed some extra bracing to make the kadee couplers work properly as well.

Edit:
I forgot to mention that I took the trucks off of the cars in order to effectively work on them.

 

[Warpiper]

Hi Greg, thanks. I'll give that a try. Eventually, I'd like to change everything over to Kaydee couplers but that might be while. I'm a little hesitant to take some of the trucks off for fear of breaking the small clips that hold them onto the bed of the car. I think I broke one of the 2 pronged clips. The ones with screws should be easy though.

 

[gjohnston]

Yes I snapped a few as well. I found the best way was to insert a small screwdriver next to the shaft and gently twist the screwdriver, most of them popped right out.

 

[Warpiper]

Yes I snapped a few as well. I found the best way was to insert a small screwdriver next to the shaft and gently twist the screwdriver, most of them popped right out.

Thanks Greg, I'll give that a try.

 

[Rico]

I just pull the band off the tuner for tight clearances.
A little harder to spin it but it gets the job done.
Good luck!

 

[Warpiper]

I just pull the band off the tuner for tight clearances.
A little harder to spin it but it gets the job done.
Good luck!

Hi Rico,

Thanks for the idea. Thinking outside the box.

 

[cajon]

I was all excited earlier today. I got my Intermountain wheel sets this week, my HO clearance gauge came in, and my Micro-Mark truck tuner arrived today. I went to insert the tuner into a Talgo truck and I snapped the side frame off. I tried again on another truck and the frame looked twisted and I could not rotate the tuner. Turns out the black band on the tuner is pressing against the part that connects the coupler to the truck. Is there a work around for this or am I going to have to modify the truck or buy a different truck?

Thanks.

You really don't want Talgo trucks because they derail when making reverse moves. Cut off the the peg that holds the truck on the car. Put the peg back in & glue it with plastic cement. Drill it for 2-56 screw to hold new truck frame.

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

 

[Warpiper]

You really don't want Talgo trucks because they derail when making reverse moves. Cut off the the peg that holds the truck on the car. Put the peg back in & glue it with plastic cement. Drill it for 2-56 screw to hold new truck frame.

Sent from my Moto E (4) using Tapatalk

Hi Andy, thanks. I was wondering if I was going to have to do that. I was just looking at and researching how to cut off the Talgo connector and replace it with some Kadee couplers and boxes but still be able to use the truck. After studying it for a while it occurred to me that if I did that, the new connector may be to high and I'm not sure if it could be lowered. Conversely, if the connector is to low (which I doubt), there would be now way to use washers to raise it because of the peg. I have several hoppers that if I did put a body mount on, the connector would be too high. I was looking through the form to see what others have done, but haven't come across anything yet.

 

[Iron Horseman]

After studying it for a while it occurred to me that if I did that, the new connector may be to high and I'm not sure if it could be lowered. Conversely, if the connector is to low (which I doubt), there would be now way to use washers to raise it because of the peg. I have several hoppers that if I did put a body mount on, the connector would be too high.

One can always add a shim to lower the coupler pocket. But mostly I wanted to say that Kadee makes both over shank and undershank couplers to compensate for mountings that are too high or too low.

 

[Warpiper]

One can always add a shim to lower the coupler pocket. But mostly I wanted to say that Kadee makes both over shank and undershank couplers to compensate for mountings that are too high or too low.

Hi Iron Horseman,

Thanks. I'll take a look at them. Probably should order a few of both when I order the rest just to make sure I have them on hand if I need them.

 

[NP2626]

I was all excited earlier today. I got my Intermountain wheel sets this week, my HO clearance gauge came in, and my Micro-Mark truck tuner arrived today. I went to insert the tuner into a Talgo truck and I snapped the side frame off. I tried again on another truck and the frame looked twisted and I could not rotate the tuner. Turns out the black band on the tuner is pressing against the part that connects the coupler to the truck. Is there a work around for this or am I going to have to modify the truck or buy a different truck?

Thanks.

I don't, I cut off the talgo tunge and use the truck without it.

 

[Warpiper]

I don't, I cut off the talgo tunge and use the truck without it.

Hi Mark,

Thanks. I think that's the way I'm going to go. I'm hoping to place an order next weekend for some Kadee couplers and when they come in I'll start cutting off the tongues, clean out the bearings, put new metal wheels on, and add draft boxes and couplers. Need to find some weights to add to the cars too to bring their weight up. I've already cleaned out the bearings on the non talgo trucks and added the metal wheels and I must say I'm liking it. The wheel sets spin for about 10-15 seconds or more and they move over the track nicely. Can't wait to get the other cars set up.

 

[santafewillie]

For added weight in enclosed cars like boxcars or covered hoppers, use Walther's Goo or a similar product and glue pennies inside. Ten pennies is roughly one ounce and they are far cheaper than those stick-on weights that are available. Other options include lead shot, fishing weights and automobile wheel weights, (exercise care when handling lead), but who doesn't have pennies, unless you live in Canada.

Willie

 

[NP2626]

For added weight in enclosed cars like boxcars or covered hoppers, use Walther's Goo or a similar product and glue pennies inside. Ten pennies is roughly one ounce and they are far cheaper than those stick-on weights that are available. Other options include lead shot, fishing weights and automobile wheel weights, (exercise care when handling lead), but who doesn't have pennies, unless you live in Canada.

Willie

This is just me and shows how Danged cheap I am; but, if I glue penny's into something, I can never use them to buy anything; or, use them in my Penny Collection! However, I also understand that they might have greater value as a weight inside my Box Cars! Oh, the trials and tribulations of what us Model Railroaders must go through!

 

[Warpiper]

For added weight in enclosed cars like boxcars or covered hoppers, use Walther's Goo or a similar product and glue pennies inside. Ten pennies is roughly one ounce and they are far cheaper than those stick-on weights that are available. Other options include lead shot, fishing weights and automobile wheel weights, (exercise care when handling lead), but who doesn't have pennies, unless you live in Canada.

Willie

Hi Willie,

Thanks for the tips. At some point I need to look at glues and figure out what I need. Walther's Goo is a good place to start. I picked up several kits that I want to do and will need some glue. I'm kicking myself now because I had several hundreds of pounds of sheet lead and could have used it. Sold it a while ago to a friend who makes his own bullets.

 

[Warpiper]

This is just me and shows how Danged cheap I am; but, if I glue penny's into something, I can never use them to buy anything; or, use them in my Penny Collection! However, I also understand that they might have greater value as a weight inside my Box Cars! Oh, the trials and tribulations of what us Model Railroaders must go through!

LOL! Not to mention the learning curve.