Micro-Trains heavyweight passenger cars

[Phoenix]

I have a nice set of Micro-Trains heavyweight passenger cars that will not stay on the track. They have body mounted couplers and six wheel trucks with the bolsters mounted off-center between two sets of inside axles. The third wheelset just hangs out toward the coupler end of the car. The tightest curve radius is 18" with others 19"-20". Pushing a car around the 18" curve the coupler will move all the way to the outside rail and that causes a problem with locomotives as most of them have truck mounted couples and stay in the center of the track. I think the bolster set up is at least part of the problem, I volunteered for a while at a scenic railroad who happened to have several heavyweight cars and noticed that their bolsters are centered on the trucks. I contacted Micro-Trains about it and they indicated there is nothing wrong with the design. Everything else runs fine on the layout, even six wheel truck locomotives. I've heard others have the same problem with the cars. Anyone have a solution? Oh, the cars are pretty light too...!

 

[bnsf971]

If I remember, the inboard wheels will hit the center sill of the car on tight curves. I trimmed the center sill in that area and had no more trouble.

 

[Phoenix]

If I remember, the inboard wheels will hit the center sill of the car on tight curves. I trimmed the center sill in that area and had no more trouble.

Thanks, I don't think that's my problem but will double check clearances.

 

[Iron Horseman]

I have a nice set of Micro-Trains heavyweight passenger cars that will not stay on the track. They have body mounted couplers and six wheel trucks with the bolsters mounted off-center between two sets of inside axles.

That is an interesting design. Usually the off-center mount on the trucks is to allow the car to go around a tighter corner. But that is usually in conjunction with truck mounted couplers. With body mounted couplers that just pushes the coupler further toward the outside rail. For body mounted couplers they should have pivoted the trucks between the outside wheels. sigh.

Anyway, perhaps you have another car that could be used as a transition car. That is something like a baggage car that has the truck mounted coupler on one side and body mounted on the other. When I was in n-scale, I did that even with my 40' freight cars.

Also just having a shorter car between might help, Loco, 50' RPO, 60' Baggage, 70' combine, before one gets to the full size 80 footers. That way there is less outside swing in each transition rather than all at once. I definitely do this with my HO scale equipment to help it get around tighter corners.

 

[Phoenix]

Thanks for your reply..! Actually I have a locomotive with body mount couplers and, after having checked everything else (wheel gauge, etc.) I tried a run. Ended in disaster as they derailed in a tunnel and crashed on the floor below and broke into every piece that could come off...lol...! I have a M/T RPO car that is shorter and had that between the loco and first passenger car. It doesn't swing out as far as the others. Anyhow, I enjoy a challenge and will keep at it.