Operating Deluxe Innovation Roadrailers

[Philip H]

After plowing through the search function, I can't find where any of you guru's have ever looked at or modified the running action of the Deluxe Innovation Roadrailers. I have a set of the Santa Fe ones I'd like to start using - anything I need to know?

[davefoxx]

I'm not aware of anyone complaining about poor running of DI's Roadrailers.  Is there a problem?  Derailments?  Too light?

Off topic, but I must add that I have a couple of DI's Twinstack cars, and I am amazed at how well they track without any containers in them.

DFF

[ryan_wilkerson]

I have a set of 36 Swift Roadrailers and they operate better than any other train I own. What kind of mods are you looking for?
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[mcjaco]

I have a set of three Amtrak.  Never had any issues with them right out of the box.  I've since added FVM wheels, and still no issues.

[ryan_wilkerson]

Here's a video of them on the FreeMo-N layout last March. Trackwork is pretty good but it is modular so the train has to navigate quite a few joints. I'm running FVM metal wheels also (I think 33") and no problems for over an hour of running.

[Philip H]

I wasn't looking for anything specific, but I have found our TRW colleagues are often on the forefront of spotting and correcting mishaps.  Which FVM Axle lengths are you guys using on the 33" wheels?

[bman]

I never had issues with the 10 that I had.  We have a club member that runs a train of at least 60 or 70 of them around our Ntrak layout at shows.  No problems.  He did switch to metal wheel sets, so they roll a bit better.  Not that that was an issue before.  More of a personal preference and it sounds cool gliding by.  I can ask him what axles and lengths he used.

[ryan_wilkerson]

I wasn't looking for anything specific, but I have found our TRW colleagues are often on the forefront of spotting and correcting mishaps.  Which FVM Axle lengths are you guys using on the 33" wheels?

It's been a couple years since I upgraded them but I believe the trucks DI used are from Atlas. Try the "Atlas" length from FVM.

[peteski]

I'm surprised that more modelers do not own a digital caliper.  They can be found for as little as $10 and with their precise digital measuring capability you never again have to ask others about things like this. Just take out the stock wheel set and measure the axle.  IMO, that is one of those (relatively inexpensive) tools which is indispensable in out hobby.

[Philip H]

I own a digital caliper.

I'm at work.

Its at home - as are my trains.

I can't measure axles at the moment, and I may not be able to get on a computer later to follow up because of kid and domestic duties.

That aside, if someone says they used some thing to mod a model, I think its perfectly logical to ask what exactly it was they used.

The fact that you felt the need to jump on us about calipers (again), without apparently thinking about why the question was asked, is telling.

[mcjaco]

^ LOL.

Yes, they use Atlas trucks.  I used the 33" Atlas whee lsets from FVM. 

I guess I should of had a caliper, as the some of the wheels were actually 36" (bought them used), and that's the only time the RoadRailers never tracked right! 

[peteski]

Geez, we are touchy today.

So you had to have the instant gratification of knowing the axle length while still at work.  Yes, Peteski strikes again with his unwanted opinions.   Very telling.    In the future I'll try to remember not to post in your threads Philip.

[davefoxx]

There goes some of that "respect," @peteski.   

[Nick Lorusso]

I use to run a 60 trailer roadrailer with the only modification was changing the coupler on the Boggie to a MTL 2004.

[Bob Horn]

Back in 1998 we ran a show at the Museum Of Science and History in Jacksonville, FL. I ran my 20 Triple Crown George Johnson, Craig Ross roadrailers approx. 15,600 scale miles over a 6 week time frame. These were before Dave Ferrari but the same models. There was no trouble at all on this 20' X 28' modular layout.  Amazing!! Around 206 hours, 40 laps per Hr. Still have them, still run great. Bob.