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As those of us who run Gilbert heavyweight passenger car know, the frames are plastic and are often warped. The usual warp makes the ends of the frame turn down, affecting the link coupler and sometimes lifting the innermost wheel set off the tracks. All of that makes the cars reluctant to track properly and stay coupled.

I took some apart with the intention of bracing the frame with an almost car-length strip on angle brass, but there was not enough room to do so.

Reading a twenty year old S-Gaugian last night, the repair column writer expressed hopes for someone to make a replacement frame in a more stable plastic.

Has anyone even seen or heard of replacement frames for link coupler Gilbert heavyweight cars? Has anyone made their own?

I sure would like my fleet of olive beauties to run and track better.

Last edited by RoyBoy
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I've made replacement frames out of .080" styrene sheet, with added (minimal) detail copying the Gilbert frame.  Easily done.  Got to admit, those cars are VERY nice.  The new Lionel ones were meant to replace them.  They're nice, but there's something very cool about the original ones.

The warped frames aren't only warped, but have shrunk.  That could adversely affect the body shell.  That's why I decided to make my own. 

As Jerry pointed out, the frames aren't just warped--the plastic has shrunk, but the body plastic hasn't. Even if the frame is looking straight, the steps are no longer centered under the doors. So straightening the frame doesn't solve the main problem--the floors are too short now! New floors are what's needed!

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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