Hi. I received a set of con-cor passenger cars for xmas and noticed that the holes in the trucks for the bolster pins are not centered between the axles. Does anyone know if this is normal? Seems strange that it would be this way as the weight is not even on both axles and the trucks tend to nose over. Any ideas?, Thank’s mechaniman.
As far as I know, Con-cor has always made its passenger cars with the trucks like that. I’ve got several sets of Con-cor streamline cars (SP Lark, Rio Grande Royal Gorge/Ski Train) and I’ve not noticed the trucks ‘nosing.’ Perhaps the pins on your trucks are a little too tight? Have you had derailment problems with them? They come with horn-hook couplers (I replaced mine with medium-shank McHenrys), perhaps the tension on the couplers might be causing the problem instead. Check your LHS for McHenry knuckle couplers, they sell medium-shank sets that are designed for the Con-Cor cars. Maybe that will help.
Tom
Mc Henry 52’s are the ones I use with success. You should also weight the cars as the Con Cor’s are too light and you keep getting slack and uncoupling. You can put weights along the floor inside the cars or do what I did, used shotgun shot underneath the cars. Put down a layer of glue and then sprinkle the shot on top and then pour more glue. It will shed a few “balls” but not many and the weight has about as low a center of gravity as you can get.
Dale
Yes, Con-Cor cars have always had an offset bolster. They are not alone in this, as Rivarossi, IHC and others do the same. If you ever get the ca***o get the IHC replacement trucks, you also have to get the replacement bolster pad to center the trucks.
The reason is related to the sharp curves that exist in HO scale. By moving the bolsters outboard, the overhang on the ends of the cars is reduced, making coupling on a curve a little easier and reducing the side force on the couplers.
Secondly, as long as you don’t have sharp curves (under 28" radius), I would body mount the couplers on these guys. Jay-Bee makes a drop in replacement body pad for couplers. Body mounting the couplers will reduce derailments on curves, especially when backing up. But if your curves are too sharp, then you’ll have to stay with truck mounted couplers.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven