MTH 20-98291 ABB Schnabel car

I like the Schnabel cars - few people have ever seen one, so it's fun to run one at a toy train museum open house. Here's one behind a very anachronistic 3rd Rail SP Mikado. Just ran it this way for fun. You have to watch the side clearance on these things. This one cleaned out a trackside signal the first time I ran it at the museum. There's a protrusion on one side; I flipped the car end for end and it cleared fine.

The car in the photo is for sale, if anyone is interested. E-mail in my profile.

I've got the (W) version of the MTH model.  Way, way back when, and I rode about a mile on the real one back when it was (W).  This is a good model of it and  a rather cool car to have.  Also nice to bash - I had a second one I used as the basis for a carriage for a giant railway gun -- all those wheels -- a lot of fun to build.  

Changing the Bettendorf trucks on the MTH schnabel.  The prototype photos show Roller Bearing types were used. The attached photo shows the MTH schnabel model modified with roller bearing trucks.

Yes. In the earlier days of the Forum we did some detailed rundowns on these schnabel cars.

Bob C.

I had wondered about prototype info on that car. I remember the first ones had Bettendorf trucks and had thought they should have had roller bearings. I occasionally see them on eBay.

Modified support added to the chassis allow for improved operation.

This model has custom parts added to allow for better support of each schnabel "arm" which holds the transformer load. Also added are parts to stabilize the chassis.

A photo of the modified chassis is attached.

I will be running my Westinghouse version tonight at the Great Big Greenhouse. The size really makes an impression with visitors to our layout. As an FYI, the handrails are rather fragile. You need to just handle by the trucks and avoid touching them if at all possible.

Gilly

Added "drawbar" when connected without a transformer load.

Shown is a connected schnabel that uses a removable "drawbar" to connect the two sections.  This greatly improves running characteristics. 

The drawbar is only used when no load is attached. The drawbar attaches to each 3 axle truck. When this car is included with other cars in a train consist all the pulling force is applied through the drawbar and 3 axle trucks.

My Schnabel car on the RC3R layout last night.

Gilly

Cool video, Gilly.  I have that Schnabel car and a (W) boxcar similar to what you have behind it, too.  Nice train. 

MTH 20-98870 O-scale schnabel car

Here is the MTH Westinghouse schnabel #212.  The model shown also has chassis modifications to improve tracking and stability.

Other than the number is there any difference between this MTH WECX 212 made in 2012 and the WECX 203, the first MTH Schnabel made in 2000?  In other words has MTH made any changes to the design?

Also, attached is another video of a Schnabel car running.  The Schnabel in this video is the WECX 203.  Also note the different shade of blue on the last 2 cars in the train which are K-Line.

Bill

I have both.  This seem pretty much the same to me. 

I admit--I'm blind as a bat and illiterate; where is the review?

Pro Hobby, your color match on the supports is superb, what brand of paint did you use and what was the formula? I do auto paint and collision work so I am well versed in mixing ratios but I am new to painting model trains.  Thnx

The new paint is a mix of two shades of blue.  I use acrylics from Michaels crafts.

This is the same design as the original issue. However my model has been modified to improve tracking and stability.

I have completely disassembled the car to make modifications to improve the performance on curves. The first objective was to add weight to the bottom of the transformer load. The transformer comes apart after the 4 bottom screws are removed. Weight was added to the transformer to lower the center of gravity.

The chassis is held together with various screws. I removed the screw that holds the hydraulic control box to the "porch".  With this screw removed the top "porch" can be separated from the cast metal frame. The upper assemblies which attach to the transformer load are held in place by a Philips head screw at the "pivot" point. I removed this screw and next I removed the small screw that retains each "porch" assembly. (I did not replace this screw since it appeared that it was restricting rotation at the "pivot" point.)

Next I added a small custom made piece made from wood and installed this within the metal casting to provide better support at the "pivot" point.  Before I re-assembled the car I also used a small round file to burnish the opening in the metal casting where the upper assembly is attached. I checked to see that these assemblies would freely rotate side to side before completing the assembly. Finally I replaced the "bettendorf" style trucks on the model with roller bearing types. With these modifications and changes my MTH model negotiates O-72 curves and turnouts without any problem.

When operating the schnabel "without transformer load" I use a separate "drawbar" which attaches directly to the 3-axle trucks.  

I have the original Westinghouse, and until this thread forgot all about it.  I do remember a thread (years ago) where more than one person claimed their cars suffered stress cracks from the transformer loads.  I think the cracks developed in the plastic hooks or near where the hooks (clasps) are located on the cars.  Actually, that's why I put the car back in its box and buried it somewhere.  I just did the same with my Weaver troop cars, rather than watching them bust apart one by one from zinc rot.

Rich

Pro Hobby: 

Thanks for the information that the newer MTH Schnabel cars are the same design as the earlier ones. 

Those are very interesting and useful modifications you have made.  But a modification that IMO is really needed is one that would enable a user to remove and reconnect the transformer load without taking the entire car off of the track.  Re-railing those cars with each of the 6 trucks trying to go in different directions at once is not fun! 

Bill 

PH's modification below addresses that concern:

"When operating the schnabel "without transformer load" I use a separate "drawbar" which attaches directly to the 3-axle trucks."

---PCJ

Originally Posted by WestinghouseEMDdemoguy:

Pro Hobby, your color match on the supports is superb, what brand of paint did you use and what was the formula? I do auto paint and collision work so I am well versed in mixing ratios but I am new to painting model trains.  Thnx

This is the original MTH paint.

I think he's talking about what was used to paint the support blocks you added to the chassis. If that too is 'original MTH paint' I'd imagine he wants to know where you got it