How do you open up the sideframes on Stewart diesels ?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi,

I’m doing some trouble shooting on a Stewart FT power/sound chassis and have traced the problem to a connection to the metal plate between the truck’s sideframe and the outside of the wheels.

I’m afraid I can’t recall (I’ve done this before) or figure out how to take the trucks apart. Can anyone out there help me out?

Thank you,

Mobilman44

2

This should help.

http://www.bowser-trains.com/docs/instructions/FT%20Instructions.pdf

3

Thank you!

It looks like the sideframes are just press fit and can be pulled apart. Is that correct?

4

No they are not like Athearn w/ the 'push" pins. They are held in place by the “fingers” on the bottom cover. These can be seen in the previous diagram. The trucks are either early Stewart/ Kato or the Stewart/ Bowser, the disassembly is the same. A small screwdriver will release the bottom truck cover and then the sideframes will come off.

5

YES, it works, and suddenly the 70 year old grey matter has remembered!

My problem (intermittant connectivity) is apparently caused by two factors:

The first is the metal plate/bushing needs to be gently bent to force it more against the wheel sides. Second, my last “lube and tune” was way too generous and there is oil on that part of the side frames.

Thanks folks!