Mark, if nothing else, they went home with a full stomach!
=============
For you N scale guys on trucks.
Learned a few things about N scale trucks.
A modeler brought his brass passenger cars to see if we can make them roll better.
First, we set up an incline to take accurate measurements for comparison of changes made to the trucks.
One thing I learned is don't put oil on the axles as it slows them down. Dry graphite is good.
Any slight slop in the side frame mounting holes exasperates problems: skewed wheels and too tight against wheel axles.
Also, these brass sides can be bent: either too far in or out (as lower right side frame in picture) and bind the axles.
Also, the support between the side frames can be bowed up or down causing excess friction on the axles. Also, check for any wheel rubbing against trucks or dirt on treads.
Initially, tried to use the new plastic wheel sets in the original brass truck frames but was unsuccessful in achieving consistent, positive results. Also, made sure no burrs in side frame axle holes to interfere with existing axles or new plastic axles.
Used these all plastic trucks to replace the brass trucks.
Didn't want to alter the original passenger frame and the new plastic truck pins were not compatible with the frame so cut off part of the truck pin (skinny part in picture) and drilled/tapped the remain piece to accept the original truck screw. There was, already, a small hole in the truck pin so easy to extend the hole through the entire pin.
Some pliers with teeth on the end were necessary to hold the small, slippery truck pin while drilling and tapping.
The original screw could, then, be used to secure the truck to the frame. The original trucks, frame and screw are unaltered so can be put back to original state, if so desired in the future.
Post test.
White piece of paper at bottom of picture shows where original trucks on car stopped. The car now rolls off the end of the track and, probably, would have gone another foot.
