Can the wheels be simply changed?
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"Couch"? Well I would think you would need a whole truck assembly. I never herd of a Hogwarts "Couch" riding the rails, seeing it in the movies, let alone a manufacturer making one.
Perhaps. But most 2Rer's operate on 2R track, not 3R track as you are doing; thus, the center rail pickup(s) must be removed at a minimum, while if car lighting is to be retained suitable electrical pickup must be arranged. Hence, at least in my experience [ and I usually remove car lighting anyway ] it is easier and usually less expensive to just substitute 2R trucks, and sell or swap the removed 3R trucks; of course in a few instances a suitable prototype 2R truck is not available.
In my opinion, which I already expressed back on Sept 9, since you are using 3R track you ought to consider rewiring the loco to take center rail power from an unmodified coach via a jumper. Of course, there are good reasons for not doing this, ranging from personal preference to not wanting to take apart the loco, but that's my suggestion, based on both having done projects like this 40+ years ago when I operated both 2 and 3R, and since then in 3R to 2R rolling stock conversions. Since it appears the majority of your layout is 3R, it leaves the coach mechanically unmodified, and the ensemble is more capable of universal operation, track and turnouts permitting.
SZ
@prrhorseshoecurve posted:"Couch"? Well I would think you would need a whole truck assembly. I never herd of a Hogwarts "Couch" riding the rails, seeing it in the movies, let alone a manufacturer making one.
I fixed it. Thanks for your help.
@Steinzeit posted:Perhaps. But most 2Rer's operate on 2R track, not 3R track as you are doing; thus, the center rail pickup(s) must be removed at a minimum, while if car lighting is to be retained suitable electrical pickup must be arranged. Hence, at least in my experience [ and I usually remove car lighting anyway ] it is easier and usually less expensive to just substitute 2R trucks, and sell or swap the removed 3R trucks; of course in a few instances a suitable prototype 2R truck is not available.
In my opinion, which I already expressed back on Sept 9, since you are using 3R track you ought to consider rewiring the loco to take center rail power from an unmodified coach via a jumper. Of course, there are good reasons for not doing this, ranging from personal preference to not wanting to take apart the loco, but that's my suggestion, based on both having done projects like this 40+ years ago when I operated both 2 and 3R, and since then in 3R to 2R rolling stock conversions. Since it appears the majority of your layout is 3R, it leaves the coach mechanically unmodified, and the ensemble is more capable of universal operation, track and turnouts permitting.
SZ
I don’t need the lights to work in the car I just want a less expensive alternative to pull the cars with the 2 rail engine I have. Not sure what set of 2 rail wheels will work with the Hogwarts trucks?
@Chris Lonero posted:I don’t need the lights to work in the car I just want a less expensive alternative to pull the cars with the 2 rail engine I have.
Well, I didn't think anything could be less expensive than, in its simplistic form, some wire and electrical tape.
But, on to Plan D:
Judging from photos on the internet, these cars have plastic trucks; assuming the wheels are pressed on the axles [ eg, not like PW Lionel ] the following is based on those two premises:
- Remove the axle electrical pickups and center rollers.
- Remove the wheelsets, and measure the back-to-back distance.
- Approximately midway, Dremel the axles in half; then file off just a smidge more on each side.
- Find Plastruct or equivalent plastic tubing that will fit snugly over the axle, and cut that to the b-to-b dimension
- Reinsert wheels and test for shorts and running ability
- Run train on loop of 3R track
SZ
I’ll give that a shot. Thanks SZ
