How are the wheel skirts included with Aero train sets attached to the side wheel frames of the locomotive's front trucks?

I hope they look good when you figure it out.  You’ve been focused for sure.

Look at the top of the truck.  It looks like they screw on.  You may need to do a little dissection.  My set comes in tomorrow.  I may know more after I get it.  FWIW, I like the detail of the trucks.  The 3rd rail skirts look good on my E5s, but look bulky on a streamliner.   My opinion, not gospel.

Do you know the item number? Originally MTH side frames were attached at the top which required disassembly to change tires, later ones have the screws going in from the underside. A quick look at yours will show you which type.  IIRC the MTH Burlington Zephyr had snap in skirts.

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BobbyD posted:

Do you know the item number? Originally MTH side frames were attached at the top which required disassembly to change tires, later ones have the screws going in from the underside. A quick look at yours will show you which type.  IIRC the MTH Burlington Zephyr had snap in skirts.

I'd have to check MTH's product locator for the item number since the set was bought without boxes. It is the PS 3.0 Union Pacific City of Las Vegas version which I recall as being released in either 2015, '16, or '17.

They screw onto the top of the existing sideframes.  There are four flat head screws that should come with them to attach them (two for each side).  I put a set on one of mine, but it hits the shell, so they'll have to be "adjusted" before they can be used.

You don't have to take the trucks off, just swivel them out and plop the skirts on and screw them down.

Steve, what does this have to do with the skirts?  We already know what the Aerotrain locomotive looks like.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

They screw onto the top of the existing sideframes.  There are four flat head screws that should come with them to attach them (two for each side).  I put a set on one of mine, but it hits the shell, so they'll have to be "adjusted" before they can be used.

You don't have to take the trucks off, just swivel them out and plop the skirts on and screw them down.

Thank you for the reply. John. As always, you are spot on.

I checked the truck for the holes to mount the truck skirts. They are there and line up perfectly with the skirts I ordered. Unfortunately there aren't screws already in those holes so, until I can get those four necessary flathead screws I can't mount the skirts.

I just called Midge W. at MTH parts and service to inquire about these needed screws. My call went to voicemail so I left a message explaining my dilemma.

Hopefully Midge will call with a solution to my predicament so I "won't be screwed".

Let me look in my parts box, I may have the right sized screws.  Obviously, I don't want to send the ones that go with my skirts!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Let me look in my parts box, I may have the right sized screws.  Obviously, I don't want to send the ones that go with my skirts!

Thank you, John.

By cross referencing the Aero train parts list you so generously provided earlier with MTH's online product locator I tracked down the screw's item number, cost, description, and photo if it.

It's a 4/40 × 6.0mm  flathead screw costing 25 cents with the item number IA- 0000038

Btw, I recall the MTH invoice that packed with the skirts I ordered has the part numbers you'd asked about earlier. I'll check it and  mtf pm you those numbers.

Again, GRJ, thanks for all you contribute to us O gauge hobbyists on the various forums you belong to. Your sharing is so very helpful and greatly appreciated! 

Hmm...  The screws I have are most certainly not 4-40 screws, they're metric 2.6mm.  That's what the sideframes on the early PS/3 version have, I have to dig out the earlier PS/2 one to see if it's different.

Same story on the PS/2 version, the 4-40 screw is WAY too big, they're also the 2.6mm screws.

My set arrived this afternoon.  As soon as I get home I will open it and try to get the screw information to you.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Hmm...  The screws I have are most certainly not 4-40 screws, they're metric 2.6mm.  That's what the sideframes on the early PS/3 version have, I have to dig out the earlier PS/2 one to see if it's different.

John, thanks for checking. The good news is Midge just returned my call, appologized for the screw mixup / omission and said she'd be sending me those 4 screws.

Such a quick response by Midge. From my perspective, how she's resolved my situation has solidly reinforced my positive opinion of MTH. 

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

My set arrived this afternoon.  As soon as I get home I will open it and try to get the screw information to you.

Glad you got yours, Brian. Thankfully, Midge at MTH will be sending the screws for mine asap. 

So Bryant, have you had an opportunity to unbox and run your new Aero train set yet? If you so, has it met your expectations so far?

Btw, did you also get extra coaches to run with it?  I'm asking because I'm curious whether MTH addressed the concerns voiced by numerous owners of previous Aero train versions regarding the engine's difficulty pulling more than four coaches and made modifications and changes improving this new version so it effortlessly pulls proto typically long consists of six or more coaches.

Have fun running it and if you have the time please share your impressions of your set and possibly post a review or video of it. 

I'll be amazed if they did anything but re-release the PS/3 version.  I can't see them investing in new designs at this stage of the game.

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gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'll be amazed if they did anything but re-release the PS/3 version.  I can't see them investing in new designs at this stage of the game.

Most definitely not new design tooling, John. but by modification I was thinking about MTH adding heft to the engine with a weighted yoke inside the shell like some HO and N gauge engines have. (You and some others have mentioned adding weight to your engines improved the draw bar pull.)

Also, something else I forgot to ask Bryan, but I hope he reads this post and chimes in, is what type of lighting the new coaches have. Product description just mentions "interior lighting" but I'm curious if MTH has switched from incandescent to led lighting for this new batch of coaches. I'm thinking they haven't or it would be listed for the set.

ogaugeguy posted:

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gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'll be amazed if they did anything but re-release the PS/3 version.  I can't see them investing in new designs at this stage of the game.

Most definitely not new design tooling, John. but by modification I was thinking about MTH adding heft to the engine with a weighted yoke inside the shell like some HO and N gauge engines have. (You and some others have mentioned adding weight to your engines improved the draw bar pull.)

Also, something else I forgot to ask Bryan, but I hope he reads this post and chimes in, is what type of lighting the new coaches have. Product description just mentions "interior lighting" but I'm curious if MTH has switched from incadescent to led lighting for this new batch of coaches. I'm thinking they haven't or it would be listed for the set.

 

 

 

 

Incandescent for sure.  Engine is light In weight as anything.  Might pull 4 cars as is.  Definitely needs weight.  I purchased the set plus 3 add-ons.  No numbers on the add-one from last run.  That was good.  I will look at Johns topic on weight.

Also, if you take shell off the last car (to add people), good luck clearing the taillights when reassembling.  Take your time and fiddle with it.  Takes about 1/2 hour of patience.

Skirts went on well, after loosening the truck a bit.  Not much, but the screw doesn’t quite line up to go in straight.  No need to loosen all the way.  Just about 5-6 turns.

Great PFA compared to others.  Lots of dialog.

I'll probably just download the new sound file and stick it in my PS/3 model.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

ogaugeguy posted:

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gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'll be amazed if they did anything but re-release the PS/3 version.  I can't see them investing in new designs at this stage of the game.

Most definitely not new design tooling, John. but by modification I was thinking about MTH adding heft to the engine with a weighted yoke inside the shell like some HO and N gauge engines have. (You and some others have mentioned adding weight to your engines improved the draw bar pull.)

Also, something else I forgot to ask Bryan, but I hope he reads this post and chimes in, is what type of lighting the new coaches have. Product description just mentions "interior lighting" but I'm curious if MTH has switched from incadescent to led lighting for this new batch of coaches. I'm thinking they haven't or it would be listed for the set.

 

 

 

 

Incandescent for sure.  Engine is light In weight as anything.  Might pull 4 cars as is.  Definitely needs weight.  I purchased the set plus 3 add-ons.  No numbers on the add-one from last run.  That was good.  I will look at Johns topic on weight.

Also, if you take shell off the last car (to add people), good luck clearing the taillights when reassembling.  Take your time and fiddle with it.  Takes about 1/2 hour of patience.

Skirts went on well, after loosening the truck a bit.  Not much, but the screw doesn’t quite line up to go in straight.  No need to loosen all the way.  Just about 5-6 turns.

Great PFA compared to others.  Lots of dialog.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

ogaugeguy posted:

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gunrunnerjohn posted:

I'll be amazed if they did anything but re-release the PS/3 version.  I can't see them investing in new designs at this stage of the game.

Most definitely not new design tooling, John. but by modification I was thinking about MTH adding heft to the engine with a weighted yoke inside the shell like some HO and N gauge engines have. (You and some others have mentioned adding weight to your engines improved the draw bar pull.)

Also, something else I forgot to ask Bryan, but I hope he reads this post and chimes in, is what type of lighting the new coaches have. Product description just mentions "interior lighting" but I'm curious if MTH has switched from incadescent to led lighting for this new batch of coaches. I'm thinking they haven't or it would be listed for the set.

 

 

 

 

Incandescent for sure.  Engine is light In weight as anything.  Might pull 4 cars as is.  Definitely needs weight.  I purchased the set plus 3 add-ons.  No numbers on the add-one from last run.  That was good.  I will look at Johns topic on weight.

Also, if you take shell off the last car (to add people), good luck clearing the taillights when reassembling.  Take your time and fiddle with it.  Takes about 1/2 hour of patience.

Skirts went on well, after loosening the truck a bit.  Not much, but the screw doesn’t quite line up to go in straight.  No need to loosen all the way.  Just about 5-6 turns.

Great PFA compared to others.  Lots of dialog.

Good to hear you had no major obstacles mounting the truck skirts Bryant. How did you go about loosening the trucks to get to that one screw? Did you have to remove engine shell?

Also any tip on finessing the shell of the last car back into place because of the tail lights? Was there difficulty removing it?

It's regrettable MTH didn't react to the lack of weight concerns many of us have and in some way add weight to the engine.

Oh well, it is what it is, Bryant. Enjoy your Aero train and please keep us updated how you added weight to the engine and how well it then worked for you.

Btw, have you added passengers to all the cars? What company's figures did you use and was trimming needed to make them fit properly? I'm asking because video and photos I've seen of some populated coaches  have figures whose tops of heads are ABOVE the top of the coach windows. Attached are photos of Aero train coach interiors showing how high passengers actually sat in those coach cars. 

P

Bottom of the truck has 1 screw.  If you loose it, it will start to separate the motor from the truck.  The gap created will allow you to tighten the skirt screw.  If you loosen the screw too much, you will have to reattach the motor/truck.  Goes without saying, the shell would need to come off.  

Lionel figures for 21” cars are perfect.  Don’t have item number handy.  No cutting.  Heads are in a good spot.

The rear lights hurt the clearance to easily remove and install last car shell/chassis.  A butter knife worked for me to tweak the clearance.  Just requires time and make sure the lights stay snug in the holes.

Weights go in Friday.  Will advise.

Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:

Bottom of the truck has 1 screw.  If you loose it, it will start to separate the motor from the truck.  The gap created will allow you to tighten the skirt screw.  If you loosen the screw too much, you will have to reattach the motor/truck.  Goes without saying, the shell would need to come off.  

Lionel figures for 21” cars are perfect.  Don’t have item number handy.  No cutting.  Heads are in a good spot.

The rear lights hurt the clearance to easily remove and install last car shell/chassis.  A butter knife worked for me to tweak the clearance.  Just requires time and make sure the lights stay snug in the holes.

Weights go in Friday.  Will advise.

Yeah. I like those Lionel figures too! Btw, Bryant, when you opened the coaches to install the passengers, did you convert the coaches from incandescent to LED lighting?

Since I have the same weights you're going to use, I'll be waiting to hear and see where you put them and how they improve the engine's pulling performance. (Having purchased five extra coaches for my set, I hope the pulling power improves.)

Midge from MTH's parts left a phone message Thursday that she'd located four screws for the skirts,, tried them on an AeroTrain and that they fit perfectly and would mail them yesterday. Looking forward to their arrival so I can finally affix wheel skirts and move on to adding weight to engine to improve it's anemic draw bar pull.

I swear, Midge is everywhere at MTH!  Why in the world can't she work on the other side and handle the parts for ASC's.

I have to get a hold of Midge. I need some more scale fuel tanks.