Aristo REA freight car truck springs

[James Stuart]

Hello,
I purchased a Polk's Model Craft Hobbies/ REA Rio Grande caboose from an eBay seller and it arrived damaged caused by poor packing. The trucks were snapped in half with the wheels, springs and brake hangers all scattered in the original box. I got the trucks reassembled thanks to some CA but getting the springs put back in place is quite the pain. I've looked on the Internet for help and have started by securing the bottom of the springs to one half of the truck frame and I've tried to hold the springs down with a hobby knife to insert the top of the spring piece but the springs aren't cooperating and pop out.
Does anyone out there have any experience with this and have any tips to get the job done? Thanks in advance!

Jim Rohrbach

 

[FatherMcD]

Have you tried loops of thread to compress the spring, inserting it, then cutting the thread? I have had some success holding springs compressed with a strip of styrene and then sliding the center beam into position. And, you have to hold your tongue just right. BTW, if anyone has an Aristocraft/REA item arrive with the center plastic spacer shattered on the axles, take a look at Repair Kit For Aristocraft Wheels 3D Printed Using CARBON FIBER FILAMENT, PLA-CF | eBay. I managed to make my own with telescoping styrene tubes, but also destroyed one axle in the process. I will definitely try these for repair in the future.

 

[PhilP]

I *think* this is the same problem I have with trying to swap to metal axles on the Aristocraft version?

Still in the box in bits.

I gave up after two hours..

PhilP.

 

[James Stuart]

Thanks for tips. I tried the thread and all it did was loop the spring so I couldn't get in inserted. I also tried using a dab of CA to hold the springs in, that didn't work either. I finally got them in using a small screwdriver to compress the screw and then wedge them into their pockets. NOW... I just need to get the red and black truck wiring correctly connected so the lights work. I've soldered them opposite each other on each truck (red on one truck opposing black on the other and black opposing red on the other) The cupola light comes on when I apply throttle (it increases in intensity and goes out at max throttle) but no LED marker lights. I'm tempted to reverse the wires on one truck but can't find any diagrams on the Net.