Here is a short video of my new (as of April 2019) Menards covered hopper successfully navigating O-27 curves and switches. The hopper is not modified, it is as received.
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This is a follow up to the original post above. While running the same train as shown in the video taking a different path, the Menards hopper car repeatedly derailed when moving straight through a switch track (or turnout), moving from the common track side of the switch to the straight-through side of the switch. Examination showed that at least one of the trucks was not moving freely due to interference from the end ladder steps. Others have reported this problem on this forum with Menards hoppers. It seemed that the interference was such that the truck would not go its proper position on a straight sector of regular track, but it would still operate and not derail. When that condition reached the switch the misalignment was such that a wheel would catch something in the switch such that the derailment occurred. That's the hypothesis.
The fix I applied was to gently bend all 4 ladder steps to where they did not interfere with movement of the trucks. (Do this only if you are prepared for the steps to break off.) So far, it is working. The car still has its 4 steps.
