Lionel Alco Pilot Upgrade

I have encountered a problem with my Lionel 6-11734 Erie Alco FA ABA set.

On O-27 curves, especially switches, the A units started to "throw" the next car off the track. Especially when reversing into a siding.

This turns out to be a lack of truck articulation, caused by the trucks hitting the screw heads on the pilots!

For now, I have removed the pilots. As a permanent fix, I plan on countersinking the holes in the pilots and using flat head screws in place of the original pan heads.

However, I have heard mention of a replacement pilot that looks better than the stock ones. Does anybody have a part number?

2/11/141:11 PM

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C W BurfleOGR Forum Member

NL Trainworks and Brasseur show them in stock, 610-8109-120.

They seemed to have been a lot more readily available just a couple of years ago when I needed them. You might want to get a set while you can. You will have to order one for each "A" unit.

2/11/142:03 PM

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Matt KirschOGR Forum Member

Hmm, I did a little searching and found a picture on Trainz.

They look EXACTLY like what I've already got. So apparently they've already been upgraded, or I'm blind, or later production models came with the upgraded parts.

2/11/144:37 PM

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ADCX RobOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Here is the original apron:

Here is the upgrade apron:

2/11/144:53 PM

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Chuck SartorOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Do you loose the ability to uncouple? I have a few of these kits, but never installed one. It looks like the uncoupler trigger is gone, right where the pilot apron is.

2/11/144:59 PM

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