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N scale coupler woes

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      Gremlin Assistant Commissioner

    I have just completed an eight-car RUB set from Peter Boorman and, as suggested, fitted Microtrains 1017 bogies/couplers. I am also using a Boorman/Aust-N-Rail 45 class to pull them. Two issues are giving me some problems:

    1. although the carriages all meet the AMRA weight guidelines and the bogies and wheels spin freely, the 45 class can't pull them; the loco uses an Atlas RSD4/5 mechanism that should be able to pull the total weight of around 200g.

    2. some couplers, under load, buckle "upwards" and then detach; I have replaced them with others but get similar issues on different carriages; all couplers meet the Microtrains coupler gauge parameters.



    Would appreciate some assistance....please Smile
    Posted: 10 Jan 2014 15:06

    Last edited by Gremlin on 10 Jan 2014 17:46; edited 2 times in total

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      jrcar Chief Train Controller

    Location: Rosanna
    Hiya Gremlin,

    that doesn't sound right at all...

    Are you using the bogie mounted couplers? If so make sure the screw that holds the coupler on is not fouling the underframe, I cut mine flush then file them.

    Have you tested the loco with other models?

    Can you post some close up pics of the bogies on the model?

    Cheers

    Rob
    Posted: 11 Jan 2014 10:09

    Last edited by jrcar on 11 Jan 2014 10:10; edited 1 time in total
      Gremlin Assistant Commissioner

    Bogie-mounted 1017s, screws cut flush and the "buckling" in mid-way through the consist....and it varies....

    Any thoughts on the 45 class pulling power?
    Posted: 11 Jan 2014 11:12
      jrcar Chief Train Controller

    Location: Rosanna
    Can you send me some photos?

    The 45 has an Atlas RSD4/5 mech which should easily handle this, they are a great powerful model. Do you have grades? How flat is your track?

    Cheers

    Rob
    Posted: 11 Jan 2014 17:25
      Gremlin Assistant Commissioner

    Track is dead flat - a loop 90cm by 300cm...what would you like in the photo?
    Posted: 11 Jan 2014 23:40
      David Peters Dr Beeching

    Location: "With Hey Boy".
    Just an idea here I take it the Atlas mech is powered on all wheels and driven by shafts inside the mech from a central motor, if that is the case one of the shafts may have dislodged inside the mech and it is now powering on only one bogie. I have had several Austrains loco do this in HO with hardly any noise emitted from the model for you to suspect this, but it was this cause that was doing it. Might be worth checking it just in case of.
    Posted: 12 Jan 2014 01:04
      Gremlin Assistant Commissioner

    Checked the shafts by removing the body and applying power to both halves of the chassis - both worms wheels turn fine and the bogie wheels also spin.  I wonder whether I need to fit traction tyres...?
    Posted: 12 Jan 2014 10:53
      jrcar Chief Train Controller

    Location: Rosanna
    Have you checked to make sure the wheels in the pass car bogies are not rubbing? Check each wheel individually.

    Photos of the underside of the pass car showing the bogie, and a side shot on the track should help with diagnosis....


    Cheers

    Rob
    Posted: 12 Jan 2014 11:08
      Gremlin Assistant Commissioner

    I have spun each wheel in each bogie set on each of the eight cars and they all spin freely.  I can pull the consist with the 45 class when it is double-headed with a Gopher 48, but the 48 seems to be doing most of the work.  I am beginning to feel there is a problem with the 45...
    Posted: 12 Jan 2014 11:12
      Gremlin Assistant Commissioner

    OK...one problem resolved...the Gopher 48 pulls the consist with ease and at low speeds too...so the 45 is stuffed, only about 30 minutes total use in its life.  Time to replace the mechanism...
    Posted: 12 Jan 2014 11:21
      David Peters Dr Beeching

    Location: "With Hey Boy".
    Might just want the motor replaced if possible you do get a dodgy motor from time to time. However if that particular mech is no longer made a new mech under it is the best way. I would go for one as dear as I could afford that will do the job after all you get what you pay for in most cases. Any Idea what to put under her this time round!
    Posted: 12 Jan 2014 15:33

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