I don't know how many guys have noticed, but some of the Flyonel freight cars have a wobble to them as they go down the track. Since I'm more of an operator (80%) than a collector (20%), I'd like the cars to run as smooth as possible. Now, I'm not talking about a very slight swaying, but an out-and-out, ready to roll off the track wobble! When folks see the car in motion, they think it's off the rails. The car is question is an NASG commemorative car from 1994 that I recently purchased NIB. First, I took a close look at the wheels. Not the best as to axial runnout. I tried coaxing them into smoothness, and it didn't seem to help. So, I did a "radical wheel transplant". Guys who know me, know that I like to peek under tables at train shows and find items that otherwise would be tossed out, and either rehabilitate them or bash them into something else. I have a fair amount of original Gilbert wheel sets, and swapped just the wheels, not the axles due to the fact they won't fit into a modern, tapered-axle side frame. The upshot? Success! Of course, i ruined the car's collectability, but frankly guys, what does it matter if I'm never going to sell this stuff, and only want to enjoy it. Besides, a hundred years from now, (once an item is unwrapped from its original packaging), who'll care?
So, has anyone else had this problem? I don't know how widespread it is, and it only may be endemic of a few year's production. The more recent things I have seem fine.
