Are you talking about the ones that came in the early Proto kits, or the really old/train set stuff? The Proto trucks are okay, I like the rib backs on the chilled wheelsets, but that doesn't look right on modern stuff.
I don't want to say "really old" lets just say Life-Like of Baltimore, circa 1970s, made in china Taiwan or Hong Kong, I don't remember which.
The reason I ask is I want to replicate the HO trains I ran under my Christmas trees. I had Life-Like 100 ton Chessie/B&O hoppers and a Life-Like Chessie/B&O GP38-2 followed by a Life-Like Chessie/WM caboose. Just like the trains I worked on when I was a coal sampler. They never gave me any trouble until the locomotives would fail.
I bought a Bachmann DCC GP38-2 Chessie/B&O locomotive to replace the Life-Like locomotive. I restored several Life-like locomotives and they run great, but I saw the new Bachmann and I wanted it. I could not find a new alternative to the 100 ton hoppers. I did find a Bachmann Silver series Chessie/B&O caboose, but it's still in the box.
I only want to have it run a few times around a simple oval of track under my little Christmas tree I set up on my layout. I bought a pack of Life-like knuckle couplers and replaced one of the old couplers to couple to the locomotive, worked great, but the cars derail. I checked the wheels and they seem like they have too much rolling resistance. I cleaned them with mild soap and water and it worked better but still would derail only less often.
Last Christmas (2013) I ran one of the Tyco spirit of 76 locomotives I restored and the Tyco cars from the spirit of 76 set (my first train) and it ran flawlessly every time with no trouble. It did not derail even once. Everything was all original on those cars but these Life-Like cars have not been as cooperative.
I am thinking the plastic has worn in the bearing either on the axels, trucks or both. If I am not mistaken they were made with some kind of slick plastic that does not need oil. I was thinking metal wheels and a little liquid bearings synthetic oil might get me through the dozen or so times I run it for maybe a total of 3-4 hours during the holidays.
By the way the Bachmann locomotive is fantastic and drags the derailed train until I notice it. I turn the Athearn DC throttle a little bit and the train will creep along. I had never seen a DC powered locomotive move so slow and smooth. The new plastic Life-Like knuckle coupler and the old horn couplers don't uncouple. even laying on a 45 degree angle being dragged along the track. It's only a total of 11 cars including the caboose.
I don't want to spend more money than I have to. I'd rather not change out the trucks, but if I have to I will bite the bullet and do it, if nothing else works.
One more thing; when did they switch to bath tube gondolas and stop using 100 ton hoppers on unit coal trains? I now live a few miles from consolidated coal's pier and I noticed they don't use 100 ton hoppers any more. I see the trains going over the bridges over Eastern Avenue when I pick up my boys from school. I love it here in southeast Baltimore. I can even hear the switchers working at the port when I am in my back yard.
As always thank you for answering all of my questions, I greatly appreciate it.
hmmm now that you know I am looking for the curve ball I am thinking it could be a fastball coming, but it will probably be a straight change. When I was young I could pick up the spin and see the curve balls coming a good change up is always tough.; I think you must have been a good pitcher, Gaylord Perry would be proud. Have you seen him lately?
The combination of being up high AND having things to play with and eat sent them into crazy kitten mode. I'm sure they will handle it better some day, I just have to let them in there more often and they'll learn to not misbehave(wishful thinking I'm sure). The good news is that the touch up paint to the walls of the brewery is complete. I also installed all of the windows. I may start to erect the walls later, we'll see.
