Atlas N Scale Plug Door Boxcar - Rollability

[basementcalling]

So, so true. 

For me, the worst example of this was finally receiving Rapido’s N scale ‘The Canadian’, after a lengthy pre-order wait, only to discover that the beautiful museum-quality finish, accuracy and truly stunning appearance was overshadowed by the most deplorable roll-ability I had ever seen.  Seriously, these things were worse than Athearn’s N scale Bombardier bi-level commuter coaches!

Wheels were rubbing on not only underbody detail bits, but also on the frame itself.  A single Rapido FP9A struggled to pull the ten-car set.  As per Ed’s point, I have to wonder how many customers ordered a single loco with the reasonable expectation that it would pull the companion ten-car consist. 

The prescribed solution was to dremel divets into the frame to give the wheels clearance.  A bit ironic, given how Rapido perpetually boasts “just look at all that underbody detail”. 

The fix helped, but rolling performance remained below average.  That, and the crappy flickering coach lighting, were unacceptable considering the price point of this offering.  Things that a little bit of QC would have prevented.

Yea, if I was inclined to drop enough dough to buy that set I would have been beyond pissed off to have to "tweak" anything on it.  Rapido still has this issue, as their new center beam flats are gorgeous models, but I believe the coupler lift bar constricted truck rotation, causing derailments ( @GaryHinshaw  )?

It's not totally new though. I bought an Overland Big Blow Gas Turbine way back in the late 90s when they came out in brass. Gorgeous model, but on the first runs one wheel axle had a gearing problem that caused the entire unit to hump and wobble down the tracks. Overland  was quick to offer replacement axles to anyone who bought a unit, but it was a major freak out on my first brass model to see it limp and stutter down the tracks instead of walking off with 100+ PFE reefers.

Lots of early 70's-80's era brass was notorious for looking fantastic, but needing major mechanical work.

[nkalanaga]

It's hard to tell, but the "extra pieces" look longer that the bolster/draft gear installed on the car.  Maybe for those who want to model a cushion underframe?

[Dwight in Toronto]

It's hard to tell, but the "extra pieces" look longer that the bolster/draft gear installed on the car.  Maybe for those who want to model a cushion underframe?

Yes, the spare parts are longer … for those who want to extend the couplers, I suppose (I’m unfamiliar with what constitutes a cushion underframe).

[GaryHinshaw]

Yea, if I was inclined to drop enough dough to buy that set I would have been beyond pissed off to have to "tweak" anything on it.  Rapido still has this issue, as their new center beam flats are gorgeous models, but I believe the coupler lift bar constricted truck rotation, causing derailments ( @GaryHinshaw  )?

It was the air line adjacent to the coupler draft gear that would rub against a wheel on a curve (even an 18" curve).  It is easily fixed by nipping the rear loop of the line off, but it shouldn't have been necessary.  The other serious issue is the snap-on brake beam detail on the truck itself, which can pop out and cause a derailment.  Aside from those dumb - and easily corrected - errors that affect operations, they are splendid cars.   

And they do roll!  (Albeit on 33" wheels instead of the proper 36" wheels.  )

[Albert in N]

Also, just don't assume that the Atlas product Accumate N scale couplers are magnetic.  My new 2023 Atlas SD-9 locomotive couplers totally ignore the track magnets.  I googled Accumate and found that replacement magnetic ones are available at extra cost.  In fairness to Atlas, their ad for the SD-9 does not use the term magnetic  Also the coupler screw is easy to back out so that the stock Accumate can be replaced with MTL magnetics.  On Atlas freight cars, I pull the plastic truck pin and install MTL trucks with true magnetic couplers. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

On Atlas freight cars, I pull the plastic truck pin and install MTL trucks with true magnetic couplers. 

Lets talk about your cast off trucks. Send me a PM with what you'd want for them if you have a stash you want to unload.

[peteski]

Also, just don't assume that the Atlas product Accumate N scale couplers are magnetic.  My new 2023 Atlas SD-9 locomotive couplers totally ignore the track magnets.  I googled Accumate and found that replacement magnetic ones are available at extra cost.  In fairness to Atlas, their ad for the SD-9 does not use the term magnetic  Also the coupler screw is easy to back out so that the stock Accumate can be replaced with MTL magnetics.  On Atlas freight cars, I pull the plastic truck pin and install MTL trucks with true magnetic couplers.

Interesting.
I'm not a fan of Accumates anyway, but all the ones I have ever had to deal with had metal (steel) trip pins (which BTW have habit of falling out if you even sneeze at them).  So there is now a version of (antimagnetic?) Accumates which has a trip pin made of plastic?!  That's just weird.  Or they simply have no trip pin installed?

But in my experience even the "magnetic" Accumates don't work anywhere as good as MTL couplers because the Accumate centering springs are stiffer than MTL.  Yes, no slinky, but also no sway to the sides. 

[thomasjmdavis]

Aren't all the all-plastic couplers that used to come on Intermountain cars accumates?  They certainly have the same 2 piece construction and plastic centering springs (referred to in one review as leaf spring) on either side of the coupler.

Here is an article from Fifer Hobby that compares the various commonly available "operating" couplers in N scale -
https://www.fiferhobby.com/n-scale-coupler-evaluation/

[peteski]

Aren't all the all-plastic couplers that used to come on Intermountain cars accumates?  They certainly have the same 2 piece construction and plastic centering springs (referred to in one review as leaf spring) on either side of the coupler.

Here is an article from Fifer Hobby that compares the various commonly available "operating" couplers in N scale -
https://www.fiferhobby.com/n-scale-coupler-evaluation/

LOL, that coupler evaluation is done by me, back on the Atlas forum (I gave permission for Fifer to use it).

I think we are talking about 2 different things here.  I'm aware of the fact that Accumates use plastic centering springs, and those are stiffer than what MTL uses, making hands-free magnetic uncoupling difficult.  I believe the original statement was about the trip pin (not the spring).  I have never encountered "non-magnetic" Accumates, so I was curious about them.

[Albert in N]

Peteski, here is what I found when I Googled the coupler:  “N Scale AccuMate Magnetic Knuckle Couplers are direct replacements for the knuckle couplers used on Atlas locomotives and rolling stock.”  Quoted from Walthers for Atlas-/accuMate magnetic knuckle coupler – 150-23015.  BTW, they are out of stock.
Earlier Atlas diesel N scale locomotives  that I own that came with AccuMates usually uncoupled but did not have the delay feature for switching that MTL had, so I replaced them.  All I know is that my new Atlas diesel couplers are not magnetic.
Sure this is thread drifting but it is kinda related.

[Albert in N]

Ed, I will PM you about my modest stash of Atlas N freight trucks with couplers.

[peteski]

Earlier Atlas diesel N scale locomotives  that I own that came with AccuMates usually uncoupled but did not have the delay feature for switching that MTL had, so I replaced them.  All I know is that my new Atlas diesel couplers are not magnetic.

Do the new (non-magnetic) couplers you have still have a trip pin (the curved "air hose") installed, or no trip pin?  If there is a trip pin, is it metal?

[Albert in N]

Looks like the other AccuMate trip pins and appear to be blackened non-ferrous metal.  At least a magnet is not attracted to it.  Neither my digital camera nor phone are capable of taking a sharp close up photo.  I plan on replacing them soon, but honey-dos and normal life are taking some of my time.  Once I switch to MTL couplers on my SD-9, I could stuff the Atlas AccuMate couplers into an envelope and send them to you free of charge.  If you want them, PM me your address.

[peteski]

Looks like the other AccuMate trip pins and appear to be blackened non-ferrous metal.  At least a magnet is not attracted to it.  Neither my digital camera nor phone are capable of taking a sharp close up photo.  I plan on replacing them soon, but honey-dos and normal life are taking some of my time.  Once I switch to MTL couplers on my SD-9, I could stuff the Atlas AccuMate couplers into an envelope and send them to you free of charge.  If you want them, PM me your address.

Thanks Albert. No need to send the couplers - you answered my questions.  Interesting that they use non ferrous metal for the trip pins. Usually steel is cheaper than other metals that usually come in a trip-pin wire form (like copper or aluminum).

[Doug G.]

Maybe they found a use for defective Zamac.

Doug