Some minor Menards car surgery
Jan 24, 2022 6:05:15 GMT
Country Joe, Joe Saggese, and 3 more like this
Post by firewood on Jan 24, 2022 6:05:15 GMT
Being my usual self and having to take things apart to see inside, I poked around a couple of my Menards cars. I wanted to simplify the coupler operation as I don't plan to have uncoupling magnets on the layout.
All of my Menards cars have the enclosed-type truck. The hinged tab is in a bad spot for using a bamboo skewer, my usual tool. After some exploring with pliers, I was able to remove the tab sections easily because they aren't integrated with the truck frame - they merely hang on the axles and are along for the ride.
I've done this to a couple of cars so far, and they run noticeably better after the braking effect of the tab sections is gone. I thought of possible train string-lining with the removal of that extra weight, but haven't noticed any problems yet.
When playing brakeman, a poke from the front of the coupler against the tab disengages the knuckle easily.
Dave
All of my Menards cars have the enclosed-type truck. The hinged tab is in a bad spot for using a bamboo skewer, my usual tool. After some exploring with pliers, I was able to remove the tab sections easily because they aren't integrated with the truck frame - they merely hang on the axles and are along for the ride.
I've done this to a couple of cars so far, and they run noticeably better after the braking effect of the tab sections is gone. I thought of possible train string-lining with the removal of that extra weight, but haven't noticed any problems yet.
When playing brakeman, a poke from the front of the coupler against the tab disengages the knuckle easily.
Dave
