I have a dozen or more boxcars from all the major manufacturers. Most of my Aristo boxcars wobble as they go along. They seldom get run because of this. How can I fix this?
Aristo boxcars - how can I cure the wobble?
- Thread starter railwayman198
- Start date
railwayman198 said:
As per Steve's hint, try fitting metal wheels in the first instance.
This puts more weight at the bogies keeping the centre of gravity as low as poss. If you're concerned about the cost of fitting metal wheels to the whole rake, just do one or two first to see if this improves matters.
i ave the same problem with it as u ave to exchange the plastic wheels into
metal wheels so if it bit wobbles as u can put some lead weight on both end inside
the boxcars to see how it go......cheers
metal wheels so if it bit wobbles as u can put some lead weight on both end inside
the boxcars to see how it go......cheers
Fit a thin felt washer to the bogie pivot thats as well as any other metal washer it will act as a damper also a spot of oil on the washer. I have done this ....it works! 
Alyn
Alynthemole said:Fit a thin felt washer to the bogie pivot thats as well as any other metal washer it will act as a damper also a spot of oil on the washer. I have done this ....it works!
Hi, I run all aristocraft rolling stock and have successfully used thin metal washers to reduce this wobble but thin felt sounds like a really good idea, what sort of felt do you use and where do you get it from?
Geoff the garden navvy
Thanks for the suggestions! I am ashamed to say that I haven't found time to try any of them yet - but I will and will let you know how I get on.
Metal wheels also seem to keep the rail head cleaner.3Valve said:
Nearly all my (predominately LGB) stock has been fitted with Bachmann/Lilliput metal wheelsets.
Anyone want to buy a lot of LGB plastic wheels....
As I see it the metal wheels will help keep things on the track but should not be expected to cure the wobble as on my Aristos it is the body wobbling not the bogies. Washers sound like a good idea. My cure for this problem was to avoid buying any more Aristo wagons.
The wobble on the Aristo wagons is due to the slightly concave surface at the mounting point on the bolster. The felt washer is a very good remedy or also one made form thin styrene sheet works a treat. Lubricate it with thick oil (plastic non destructive like the sort from the 'Easylube' set) and away you go, cured for micro cost.
Some of the aristo wagons are really good so you would miss out on a some nice models if you were to avoid them when a quick remedy is very effective.
The wonderful AML (division of Accucraft) 1:29 cars also had the same problem which spoilt a particularly fine set of models. the answer.....washers much like the suggestions above....now they would have been a shame to miss especially as they were going for $40 each instead of 100!
Some of the aristo wagons are really good so you would miss out on a some nice models if you were to avoid them when a quick remedy is very effective.
The wonderful AML (division of Accucraft) 1:29 cars also had the same problem which spoilt a particularly fine set of models. the answer.....washers much like the suggestions above....now they would have been a shame to miss especially as they were going for $40 each instead of 100!
From what I have seen a lot of 1:1 rolling stock often has a wobble when on the move. Often this is accentuated by poor track and switches - both in 1:1 and models. In my view it is a prototypical event.
However, the felt (or soft ) washer is the simplest cure if the wobble is annoying.
However, the felt (or soft ) washer is the simplest cure if the wobble is annoying.
I have a Aristo stock car that wobbles really bad have replaced the wheels with metal Bachmann one's but never stopped the wobble , like Alan has said you only have to see usa train's on the move to watch the wagons wobble , I put the wobble to my stock car down to the movement of cattle in the car 
Also just a quick thought...
The washer is the best idea I think but here's another that might work. If you remove the trucks you will see two small raised pieces of plastic on each side of each bolster which are supposed to limit the sidewaya movement of the trucks. I guess with a little piece of styrene on each these could be increased and that would further limit the wobble. I've never tried it myself but I was just working on an older Aristo car last night and it got me thinking...
Oh, and of course the metal wheels are a complete must. Apart from anything the added weight they give the car is an absolute necessity for smooth running.
The washer is the best idea I think but here's another that might work. If you remove the trucks you will see two small raised pieces of plastic on each side of each bolster which are supposed to limit the sidewaya movement of the trucks. I guess with a little piece of styrene on each these could be increased and that would further limit the wobble. I've never tried it myself but I was just working on an older Aristo car last night and it got me thinking...
Oh, and of course the metal wheels are a complete must. Apart from anything the added weight they give the car is an absolute necessity for smooth running.
Even though I posted an idea for styrene washers to add to 'themole's idea of felt washers, there is one caveat.
If your track has some side to side (lateral) undulations or single rail changes in symmetry then be careful of packing the bolster either with washers or with 'supergav''s ridge increase.
If all ability to 'rock' is taken out, then the bogies will not track imperfect track and you will definitely have derails, metal wheels or not!
If your track has some side to side (lateral) undulations or single rail changes in symmetry then be careful of packing the bolster either with washers or with 'supergav''s ridge increase.
If all ability to 'rock' is taken out, then the bogies will not track imperfect track and you will definitely have derails, metal wheels or not!