I built some of these Walthers cars years ago but the trucks are made of metal that is too soft and the axle ends will eventually cause the bearing surface to become egg shaped. That causes the truck side frames to ride lower and touch the outside rails and shorts out on switches and or derails. I have tried putting bushings in the truck frames and that works if you get them the right size. It's either that or get some better trucks. Just wondered what others have done with this problem.
Ray
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I use Lobaugh. I also have my own cast in bronze, when the foundry is feeling friendly. Replace Walthers with the harder All- Nation, and you should be ok. You could also drill and epoxy segments of brass K&S tube in there. I use SAE 30 for lubrication.
Ray, I sent you an email!
Agree with Bob about rebuild it.
so drill it bigger and insert a tube or if you can a nylon bushing.
Andre
Keil LIne makes similar trucks today and sells bushings that drop in. In fact they may have bought all the old Walthers molds. They do a lot of diecast detail parts.
Q-car also makes brass bushings/bearings that work for their cast trucks that you can buy and use for other trucks.
Thanks guys for the replies. I guess the best answer is get some better trucks. I got some brass bushings from a hobby shop here and they work pretty good. However I just eyeballed the hole location using the egg shaped worn hole for a guide. The side frames are still too low on some of them. In the mean time I have moved on to better cars over the years but I will hang on to these Walthers cars because I built them myself. Don't run them much anymore but will make a good rainy day project.
Ray
The Walthers cars are great. The trucks, not so much.
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