Free wheeling issues

[Newportnobby]

I'm sure it's not just me but, over the last 5 years, as underframe detailing has been increased, issues with free running have increased? I'll cite some examples I have experienced/ read about but feel free to add any as I model (99%) transition era so may have not heard of any others

In no particular order:=
NGS - Ferryvans
Rapido - Conflat-Ps
Sonic - VEA/Vanwides
Revolution - IWA and Mk5s

It's quite disheartening to received your rolling stock and find it can't freewheel along the track, especially as when it's on the track you can't even see much of that detailing. I have to say I have never experienced such problems with my purchases of Dapol and Farish (+EFE)
What do others think?

[Steven B]

The Revolution IWA had burrs on the axle ends - nothing to do with any extra detail.

The NGS ferry vans and Rapido Conflat Ps were fine on the pre production models, but both had issues with the full production run - again not due to the email.

My VEA are fine, any issues might be with the van wide chassis.

[jpendle]

The issue with the MK5's is that they use inside bearings, so the underside detail isn't the issue.

The Rev's IZA's had brake shoes in line with the wheels, but they tended to rub on the wheels, so that is one example of where better detail led to problems.

Easily fixed though.

Regards,

John P

[Southerngooner]

About five years ago when we were in rented accommodation I tested all of my wagons for free rolling. A considerable number did not roll well, mainly Farish, but in batches of wagons of the same kind some would roll well and others poorly. A lot was down to minute bits of flash in the wrong places, and I managed to get them all to an acceptable standard. In general, any new Farish or Dapol wagon seems to run OK. My Rapido SECR wagons don't run quite as freely, but are OK, while the 27 Conflats Ps that Steve Wright bought for James Street still don't run brilliantly despite going back for remedial work at Rapido. A lot of them are OK but a few are pigs!

I've no idea what is causing the problem, maybe ever finer models with thinner side frames and hence more flexibility to allow axles to not run as sweetly as they should?

It is a shame though....

Dave

[Cols]

When they first appeared, I purchased a Dapol Southern Region BY - a type of vehicle I needed for my SR parcels trains (with PMVs, CCTs, and Van Bs). It's a delightful model... until one places it on the track - the wheels are such a sloppy fit that if it completes a complete circuit of our Club's track without derailing, its a small miracle: the axles often fall out of the axleboxes between picking it up and placing on the track. I have tried placing the b****y thing in very hot, but not boiling, water in order to bend the axleboxes inwards enough to hold the axles in place. This was not a complete solution - though it has helped... The Dapol SR BY is certainly NOT free-running by any stretch of one's imagination! It's a lovely looking model, though...

[Newportnobby]

When they first appeared, I purchased a Dapol Southern Region BY - a type of vehicle I needed for my SR parcels trains (with PMVs, CCTs, and Van Bs).

@Cols Would you happen to have a reference number for your BY as I can't track one down to have a squint at? Thanks.

[bluedepot]

oh god yeh the sonic vanwides and ngs ferry vans were very annoying!!

i broke some detailing trying to fix a vanwide.

I'm still not very happy with how some of these vans run. they are expensive so want them to be good runners, please they do look very good.

anyway i think it's the brake detailing causing the troubles on newer wagons. it's over the top. no one wants to view a wagon upside down! (unless it's a tipler!)

cheers

tim

[PLD]

When they first appeared, I purchased a Dapol Southern Region BY - a type of vehicle I needed for my SR parcels trains (with PMVs, CCTs, and Van Bs).

@Cols Would you happen to have a reference number for your BY as I can't track one down to have a squint at? Thanks.

This is a Southern Railway BY - a 4-wheel passenger brake van...
https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/404.html
Dapol don't actually make one, (closest thing RTR is the Farish PLV; closest Dapol do is the CCT which has a tendency to be too free!) though there is a plastic kit for a BY which is possibly what Cols actually has?
Many kits do require a degree of accuracy and patience in assembly to achieve free-running...

[PaulCheffus]

When they first appeared, I purchased a Dapol Southern Region BY - a type of vehicle I needed for my SR parcels trains (with PMVs, CCTs, and Van Bs).

@Cols Would you happen to have a reference number for your BY as I can't track one down to have a squint at? Thanks.

This is a Southern Railway BY - a 4-wheel passenger brake van...
https://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/pics/404.html
Dapol don't actually make one, (closest thing RTR is the Farish PLV; closest Dapol do is the CCT which has a tendency to be too free!) though there is a plastic kit for a BY which is possibly what Cols actually has?
Many kits do require a degree of accuracy and patience in assembly to achieve free-running...

Hi

I'm sure I have a Dapol BY at home as I bought the 2mm SA replacement chassis for it. Will have a look when I get home this evening but I could be mistaken as I can't find any images online of them.

https://www.2mm.org.uk/products/instruction_sheets/pdf4-743.pdf

Edit: Found an image online
https://ngauge.org.uk/dap_nonpass_van_c.php

Though its a C not a BY according to that description though it does show BY on the side.

Cheers

Paul

[PLD]

870544 date=1760442132] Found an image online
https://ngauge.org.uk/dap_nonpass_van_c.php

Though its a C not a BY according to that description though it does show BY on the side.

yes - that's a CCT/Van C... As I said, those have a reputation for being too free running...
If it is one of those and the wheels are dropping out, most likely the original wheels have been changed for something on shorter axles...

[me00rjb]

Pretty sure the Dapol model is a BY, as it has no end doors and a guards compartment:

https://www.hattons.co.uk/directory/versiondetails/6199/dapol_n_maunsell_brake_van_c_sr

[Newportnobby]

Thanks, Chaps.
I've found one at Osborn's and ordered it (2P-012-504)
Can't have a bit of green parcels stock missing from my collection
I'm sure there'll be no running issues with it

[Southerngooner]

I bought a couple of the Dapol BYs when they came out, and they didn't roll at all well. I wrote to Dapol, and they gave me two replacements that did actually run OK. They didn't ask for the old ones back, and with a bit of work they now run a lot better. Just needs a lot of underframe tweaking, which is a bit annoying on a new model. They have quite thin, rather flexible, axle boxes which can move a lot, unlike the good old Peco chassis or the Farish varieties. I think this is the basic issue.

Dave

[EK Growler]

I've had issues with EFE Rail JIA wagons.  The wheels bind on curves.  I've found how to fix.  The link takes you to my YouTube video showing how to fix.
https://youtu.be/Gku4F7Z7VQQ?si=rzoBwYjKpZqffUH9

[PaulCheffus]

Hi

I must be lucky then as mine runs beautifully and the axles are not lose in the axleboxes.

Cheers

Paul