Drooping Bogie Problem

[Sad Sprinter]

I've got a Bachmann class 168 unit which has a coupling bogie on one of the end trailer carriages, that droops so that the coupling bumps along the track. This means, when coupled to the centre car, the couplings get caught inbetween the sleepers and causes the train to derail. Does anyone know if this is fixable from home or would it have to be taken in to be serviced?

 

[Cowley]

I've got a Bachmann class 168 unit which has a coupling bogie on one of the end trailer carriages, that droops so that the coupling bumps along the track. This means, when coupled to the centre car, the couplings get caught inbetween the sleepers and causes the train to derail. Does anyone know if this is fixable from home or would it have to be taken in to be serviced?

Would you be able to post a picture @Sad Sprinter?

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Would you be able to post a picture @Sad Sprinter?

Here we go, as you can see the bogie drops down quite a bit. The rear bogie on the other end trailer is much more rigid.

 

[AM9]

It doesn't look like its the whole bogie bearing sag that is the problem, - don't forget, that will disappear when all four wheels are on the track. That needs to have some compliance to allow for uneven track and gradient changes. What does look strange is the droop of the coupling extension, which clearly isn't on the same axis as the outside frames. Is that the same on both ends?

 

[Cowley]

What I would suggest is that it’s the wrong coupling in the NEM socket. If so then it would be a simple job to pull it out of the socket and replace it with one that doesn’t drop down in the same way.
As @AM9 says, the bogie itself looks fine.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Thanks for your responses, the coupling is new, as is the entire bogie frame which recently came from Bachmann. I notice that the coupling on the other trailer has the number "2" on it whilst that coach's coupling has a "4", perhaps they did fit the wrong coupling. Will buy a new one to see if it helps.

 

[Cowley]

Thanks for your responses, the coupling is new, as is the entire bogie frame which recently came from Bachmann. I notice that the coupling on the other trailer has the number "2" on it whilst that coach's coupling has a "4", perhaps they did fit the wrong coupling. Will buy a new one to see if it helps.

I don’t have any 00 stuff anymore but I do remember that some of my couplings used to step down like that one does which meant they were at a different height to the other ones. I think it might have been because they had to clear the bufferbeam on some models when the NEM pocket was mounted higher.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I don’t have any 00 stuff anymore but I do remember that some of my couplings used to step down like that one does which meant they were at a different height to the other ones. I think it might have been because they had to clear the bufferbeam on some models when the NEM pocket was mounted higher.

Thanks, does this mean I should as Bachmann for a different coupling?

 

[Cowley]

Thanks, does this mean I should as Bachmann for a different coupling?

Yes although Hornby ones should fit as well. What sort of coupling is on the coach that it should be coupled to?

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Yes although Hornby ones should fit as well. What sort of coupling is on the coach that it should be coupled to?

It seems to be the exact same, except the number beneath it is "1" whilst this drooping one says "4"-not sure if that is of any importance. I just measured the coupling and bogie frames on the two end trailers-seems to be the same distance from the tip of the coupling to the end of the bogie-7.5 cm. So it doesn't appear to be too long a coupling, unless its a heavier design than the original couplings?

What's the best way to take out the coupling? Just a case of pulling?