"NEW VIDEO & Pic." Has anyone had any issues with AF wide gauge passenger car lighting?

Chris,

I own quite a few original A.F. wide gauge sets and they do get run, but I haven't experienced any particular problems with flickering lights. I have no experience with A.F. reproductions. That red Presidents Special is a beauty and I hope that you get the problem solved.

Eric Hofberg

TCA, LCCA

Chris,

I would try some conductive contact lube such as this one on the pickup rollers. Try and get a drop between the pin and roller.

http://www.wholesaletrains.com...6NibcCFU6f4Aod7G4AFg

I had a number of light and truck related problems with the green President's Special reproductions.  For lighting, my fix was adjusting the amount of vertical roller travel by bending the non-hinged side of the roller along with applying WD40 on the roller. I may have also adjusted the tension on the roller, but don't remember for sure. If the roller is too far down, it can cause sudden derailment. Pay careful attention to the rollers that have the hinged side toward the rear.  I also had problems with the wheels being out of gauge (wheels too close together).  I had to add washers (circlips) to keep the cars from falling off the track - and that's without any switches. The wheels are still wobbly, but everything works well. 

I have the MTH reproduction of the AF bodied Olympian cars and had different problems.  The cars would derail around curves (42 in).  I solved this problem by making sure the couplers moved freely to the end of their travel in both directions.  This took lubrication and removal of any burrs on the slot where the coupler exits the body.

The long AF passenger cars look great, and the two tone red may be the best color yet.

Chris, Like Eric, I have a number of AFWG sets, and the most important issues come from the roller height, its proximity to the nearest axle (6 wh trucks) and the rolling freedom of the roller.  

Joes advice is good and Mr Fixit too -except that I disagree on the WD-40 which can form a dielectric coating as it evaporates.  The late design of pickup mount is malleable and can lead to derailments, so watch the height of the mount and make sure that the roller is the only think making contact with the rails.

Pictures of the set please.... how are the red colors...MTH red can be a little washed out and I was curious before I get a set of these cars....

Rob,

Thanks for correcting me on the WD-40.  I Read your posts on the subject and I won't be using it on my trains. 

Looking forward to pictures also...  

Stan

Thanks for all the input guy's. I think I have the roller problem fixed now I need to work on the lights. I noticed the wheel wobble to but I can live with that so long as it stay's on the track. I have 72" curves with no switches. Here is a video of the whole set running. I think it looks real nice with the red.  "Notice the lights in the cars when it goes by.

I may just have to get me one... it is a nice color.

Thanks Rob. It is the 2 tone red darker roof and lighter body which is hard to tell from my non professional I Pod!  Pictures or video don't do them justice but you get the idea.

I can't tell from the video, are the trucks chrome or light gray?

John.

I believe light gray.

Sunrise

Correct; They are light gray.

Chris

I have had this happen and what's unique about your problem is that it effects all the cars, not just one or two with this flashing..effect. It almost seems as if you have a intermittent contact issue with the trucks or track rather than a loose connection in the lamp holders or wire as far as the probability all have the same issue which is bizarre to say the least..I would do a bench test with alligator clips off the track. In my case, it was weak roller springs that did not push all the way down hard enough to maintain constant contact.

Bruce

Hi Bruce. It's weird I haven't had any other problems with any engines or rolling stock except for a wide gauge AF reissue caboose that does close to the same thing? 

I had another thought on your flickering light issue. Using a small paint brush, apply some alcohol to the pick-up rollers at each end where they meet the shaft. Be careful not to splatter any on your paint work. I had a past instance with pick-up rollers and too much lubrication and although it was not an A.F. passenger car the application of the alcohol did cure the light flickering. I did enjoy seeing the video of your beautiful set and I hope that you get to shoot another minus the light problem.

Eric Hofberg

TCA, LCCA

Thanks Eric that is a good thought.  I do oil all the wheels and pick up rollers on any engine or rolling stock when I first get it. I only put a drop but you never know.