Bowser Pennsy H21A

[unittrain]

Just purchased one of the Bowser Pennsy H21a's in the block scheme, just wondering if anybody has any and if they are decent models. I've never purchased Bowser N scale before. I model 1979-1980 so I figured this would be a good addition to round out my coal train with some old vintage hoppers that would make for good weathering projects. I'm considering getting the PC on also.

[Bob Bufkin]

You mean the H21a?  I've got a bunch and they run fine.  It is a pain in the rear to remove those trucks with the Old Rapido couplers.  Never had very many problems with running quality.

[christoph]

I kept the Crown trucks but cut off the rapidos, used MTL1015 as recommended by Bowser.  Using flathead screws is essential for the couplers, otherwise the axle is rubbing on the screw head.  The plastic wheels don't roll that well, I first tried FVM 3302 and ended up with FVM #3311 wide thread wheelsets.  Since the trucks mount is rather rigid, I had occasional derailments with the fine wheels. The larger flanges and threads of the 3311 work without derailments.  The metal wheels turn freely in the Crown trucks.

I also use coal loads by JWD in most of my Bowser hoppers. They look good and add some weight.