Any ideas on how to keep the trucks on an Accurail boxcar? The plastic plugs supplied with the kit do not stay in their place.
I’m thinking a small screw would be better but which one and where can I get a bunch of them?
I replaced mine with screws from the hardware store. Can’t remember what size though.[#welcome]
The hopper car kits, they long replaced the plastic plugs with screws, although the palstic bits are still in the kit box. I think they’re either 2-56 or 0-80.
–Randy
Accurail sells the screws on their web site, under parts, but it’s just as easy to get them at your LHS. I’ve converted all my cars to screws for easier maintenance and consistency. I think the screws are 2-56.
Len S.
[#welcome]
Accurail cars are great if you want to add to your fleet for a great price. Good luck on building them. They are easy.
#2-56 screws work perfectly. You do not even have to tap the hole, but things are easier if you do tap the hole.
A well equipped hardware store has #2-56 screws for rather low prices, and there is also Fastenal, McMaster, MSC, and others
The plastic pins on any of the rolling stock I have get replaced by 2-56 screws. I get screws at Fastenal but they have to be ordered as the smallest available here is a number 4 screw.
I also modify the coupler box cover too. I drill out where the pin is with a number 43 drill. The hole for the pin is drilled out with a number 50 drill and tapped for 2-56. A 2-56 X 3/16th screw holds the cover on.
The trucks are replaced with Kadee trucks too. Kadee Wheelsets could be used to replace the plastic wheels in the Accurail trucks.
That’s what I do, too. I use 2-56 X 1/4" screws for the trucks and 2-56 X 3/16" screws to hold the coupler covers on. I got 100 of each from Fastenal for a good price. [:)] Of course, they had to special-order them, so they charged me for the shipping–and they didn’t tell me about the extra cost. [:(] Ask before you buy.
I use a truck tuning tool on the trucks, and replace the plastic wheelsets with Proto 2000 33" metal wheelsets. They roll real well now.
The Accurail screws are 2-56 x 3/16", blackened, and Phillips head. Work great for coupler boxes. Not a bad price from Accurail on them, and newer kits include 4 for each car. I have a supply of 2-56 x 1/4" screws I use for the trucks. When building an Accurail car, I use the 1/4" screws for the trucks, so I gain a pair of 3/16" screws for other uses. All the Accurail cars will take a 2-56 x 1/4" screw for the trucks. I have taken out a number of pushpins and put screws in.
I use Intermountain wheels, and they roll very well. Accurail sells just the truck sideframes separately, in case you have some other cars that need good trucks. Athearn trucks are a little wide to put IM wheels in without slop. I buy IM wheels in bulk packs, so changing a few trucks to standardize on IM wheels is easier than getting Reboxx wheels at a much higher price.
I use Intermoutain wheelsets in Kadee trucks on almost all my freight cars. This combo rolls better than any plastic sideframe truck and tracks better with the added weight and function of the sprung/equalized metal trucks. This setup has improved rolling performance by as much as 30% in some cases.
And, yes, on Accurail cars, the plugs have to go. I believe on newer production of all car types Accurail is including screws and the plugs.
Sheldon