I am currently looking to purchase one (or more, if the funds are available) older-run Walthers all-purpose spine cars off of eBay (such as these- http://ho-scaletrains.net/walthersfreightcars/id130.html ), but I have a couple of questions I need answered from people who have had experience with them before I buy…
First off, how durable are these cars? I’ve previously owned a Walthers five-unit well car, and over time the little bits of plastic holding the trucks on in the articulated sections have broken off of a couple of the wells; super-gluing this bit of plastic back together hasn’t proved to be what I’d call successful either, so this particular well car is now out of service… Also how do those collapsible hitches hold up to being raised and lowered all the time? Overall, how durable is this car?
Also, is this car capable of rounding an 18-inch radius curve? My little 4x10-foot-layout is, as you would expect, burdened by them, and I’ve looked around online without being able to successfully find out whether or not they can take such a tight turn… Anyone know?
I have the original kit version and I believe there are RTR version which are based on the same tooling. They are metal spine frames with plastic details. Since the frames are metal, I’d think they are pretty durable. I too have 3 of the Walthers Gunderson articulated sets and the piece that holds the wheels and connects the cars are very fragile. I’ve had one break while in storage and I’m not optimistic the glue will hold it short of a huge amount of epoxy or something gnarly. I can’t comment on 18-inch curves, but IMO, 18-inch curves are best reserved for N scale and stick with 24 or 26 inch curves in HO as an absolute minimum.
I had a quite a few of the old Walthers spine cars. They are very durable. Always tracked very well with my intermountain wheelsets on them. I only sold them because I am an ultra modern modeller. Otherwise, they would still be earning their keep on my layout. Plus, they sold quickly must be many other modellers that want them. PW
When the connector breaks on the spine or well cars, I substitute a piece of styrene with a hole tapped for a 2-56 bolt. I cut the bolt flush with the top of the styrene connector and then paint it flat black. After weathering, it isn’t that noticeable. Long term, I have retired these units to prop/yard cars and have replaced with the newer metal units from Athearn et al.
But even some of the cast metal connectors can be a problem such as the A-line connectors on their Gunderson Twin-Stack cars. They don’t break but often need filing to true the fit and allow them to pivot easily.
They are a bit iffy on 18" turns. My set squeaks and chirps, but does get around. Seems not to short out, but maybe I was lucky and put the IM wheels in all the same way. Might have to do a little tweaking, washers under the trucks to get clearance.
My ATSF Spine car set sits new and unbuilt in the box. Years ago Walthers had an outdoor rummage sale and was nearly giving them away. You might find this video review to be a bit helpful
I recall reading that the only road name the Walthers original 48’ spine car kits were correct for were the TTX version. All the other road names were apparently bogus just to allow Walthers to offer and sell more kits. My TTX kit still sits unbuilt. One of these days I may get it out and start working on it since it looks like it will be a good while yet before I have a place for even a small layout.