Menards Model Number 2790861 C&NW flatcar with Chicago EMS Van
From Menards Ad: This O gauge flatcar features improved couplers and trucks with metal wheels. Riding on this Chicago Northwestern flatcar is an authentically decorated Chicago Fire Department Ambulance with die-cast cab. This ambulance has working headlights and emergency lights that are lit using track electricity and pickups built into the flatcar. These pickups allow for constant lighting so that the ambulance lighting will not flicker while traveling around your track. This flatcar with ambulance is sure to be a beautiful addition to your train collection!
Pickups use track power to operate headlights and emergency lights
- Constant lighting - Lights won't flicker!
- Improved couplers and trucks with die-cast wheels
- Uniquely numbered - No two are alike!
- Navigates O-27 curves
Above is the Menards description for the No. 2790862 Chicago ambulance flat cars.
The two I ordered arrived Monday.
I note a couple of problems that I will have to/already have solve[d].
First, the lighting on one of the ambulances worked sporadically -only when one truck was lifted slightly off the track - or if the trucks were shifted left-to-right on the track (MUCH side-to-side play on these wheel sets... not gauged properly).
I discovered that the copper electrical contact "fingers" on each truck barely touched any of the axles because they were positioned ATOP each axle, offering virtually no tension-based electrical contact. I popped each axle out & re-installed it ABOVE the copper contacts. The electrical contact was made good.
The other issue is the poorly-molded couplers. Despite the promise of "improved couplers" above, I have not seen ones that work this badly since K-Line's early years. There is a lot of molding "flash" inside most of the knuckles, keeping them from properly mating. I recall a post here from last year giving tips on removing the flash -& some added plastic- with an X-Acto knife to obtain better coupler operation. Gotta look that one up.
I will work on that issue this week.
Good prices, nice looking, yes... but not without faults. 
