Fixing stiff wheels

[Jozhua]

I got some pretty cheap MK2 models, however the wheels are a bit stiff - anyone got some advice on getting them running a bit better?

Thanks!

 

[Peter C]

I assume by stiff, you mean they're not turning around as freely as they should?
Here's a photo of a Hornby Mk2 I've just taken (it's an older model) - is this the same as yours?


If it is, then the wheel should look like this:

(so it's a metal tyre and flange surrounding with a plastic centre)

And then the bit which holds the axle in the bogie looks like this:

(it's the pointy bit which locates into a hole on the inside of the coach bogies)

My recommendation would be to check if the wheels are the same as the one in the photo (only if the coach is the same make), and if they are, then maybe put a little bit of oil on the pointy bit which holds the axle in the bogie. It only needs to be a small amount - don't put too much on as you then risk the oil getting onto the wheels or the rails and then affecting the performance of engines. To remove the axle from the bogie, put a flat-head screwdriver between the plastic bit of the wheel (the bit facing the inside of the bogie) and the bogie itself, push against the wheel, and then lever it out. It's a bit fiddly but will work if you're careful

Peco's PL-64 should work for this - it's a bit expensive at a first glance but I've had one for a few years now and only used about a third as you don't need to oil locomotives as much as you might at first think: https://peco-uk.com/products/power-lube
Other model shops are likely to have it at lower prices.

I hope this helps - do ask if you have any other questions or if I've not explained things well!

-Peter

 

[Jozhua]

I assume by stiff, you mean they're not turning around as freely as they should?
Here's a photo of a Hornby Mk2 I've just taken (it's an older model) - is this the same as yours?
View attachment 100238

If it is, then the wheel should look like this:
View attachment 100240
(so it's a metal tyre and flange surrounding with a plastic centre)

And then the bit which holds the axle in the bogie looks like this:
View attachment 100241
(it's the pointy bit which locates into a hole on the inside of the coach bogies)

My recommendation would be to check if the wheels are the same as the one in the photo (only if the coach is the same make), and if they are, then maybe put a little bit of oil on the pointy bit which holds the axle in the bogie. It only needs to be a small amount - don't put too much on as you then risk the oil getting onto the wheels or the rails and then affecting the performance of engines. To remove the axle from the bogie, put a flat-head screwdriver between the plastic bit of the wheel (the bit facing the inside of the bogie) and the bogie itself, push against the wheel, and then lever it out. It's a bit fiddly but will work if you're careful

Peco's PL-64 should work for this - it's a bit expensive at a first glance but I've had one for a few years now and only used about a third as you don't need to oil locomotives as much as you might at first think: https://peco-uk.com/products/power-lube
Other model shops are likely to have it at lower prices.

I hope this helps - do ask if you have any other questions or if I've not explained things well!

-Peter

Hi Peter, that is the exact Hornby Mk2 that I picked up! Love the look of them - I'm not into spending loads on mega-detail, I also prefer coaching stock that is a little more contemporary.

I'll have a go, thinking of ordering some things from Pico so I'll grab some oil and let you know how it goes!

Thanks a lot

 

[Peter C]

Hi Peter, that is the exact Hornby Mk2 that I picked up! Love the look of them - I'm not into spending loads on mega-detail, I also prefer coaching stock that is a little more contemporary.

I'll have a go, thinking of ordering some things from Pico so I'll grab some oil and let you know how it goes!

Thanks a lot

Most of my models are quite old as they're easier to find and cheaper to buy. I'm not overly-fussed about the lack of detail on them, like yourself.
Glad those tips helped. Peco do some good products and that Power-Lube is really useful!

-Peter

 

[Jozhua]

Most of my models are quite old as they're easier to find and cheaper to buy. I'm not overly-fussed about the lack of detail on them, like yourself.
Glad those tips helped. Peco do some good products and that Power-Lube is really useful!

-Peter

Had a little look at the bogies - specifically looking out for the conical ends - some of the wheels just needed clicking back into place on one of the coaches! I'll have a look at the other coach tomorrow!

If you have any buying tips for cheap trains, I'm all ears!

 

[Peter C]

Had a little look at the bogies - specifically looking out for the conical ends - some of the wheels just needed clicking back into place on one of the coaches! I'll have a look at the other coach tomorrow!

Ah - I probably should have mentioned that possibility as well. Completely forgot, despite it happening to a few of my coaches in the past

If you have any buying tips for cheap trains, I'm all ears!

If you look through this forum you'll find an awful lot of conversations about price (we can fit it into anything), but I'll summarise the main tips here:

• Try and avoid the manufacturer's website if at all possible
• Look at using somewhere like Hattons, Kernow Model Centre, or Rails of Sheffield
  • (or other smaller model shops - the adverts in Railway Modeller magazine are good for finding lesser-visited shops with good deals)
• eBay is good if you double-check what you're getting before paying - it's always better to ask someone to make sure you're paying the right price before buying something (actually this might be a good idea for a thread)
• Be aware that Hornby's 2021 range items will have an extra 10% added onto their price as of recently (they've cited COVID as one of the reasons, and I don't know if it'll affect just their site or others)

Hope this is of some use

-Peter