Bachmann trolley: how much axle play is too much?

[KylePearce]

I have a 4-wheel bachmann closed trolley, and as-new the gearboxes had a lot of play. Not radially, side to side. The gears aren’t in danger of losing mesh as they are wide. My question is, should I shim the axle? I understand play is required on a 6 wheel machine to get around corners, but how about with 4?

 

[Rhinochugger]

I have a 4-wheel bachmann closed trolley, and as-new the gearboxes had a lot of play. Not radially, side to side. The gears aren’t in danger of losing mesh as they are wide. My question is, should I shim the axle? I understand play is required on a 6 wheel machine to get around corners, but how about with 4?

Provided the gears remain meshed, I'd be tempted to leave it.

For reasons of mechanics that escape me, I have found that quite a few types of rolling stock benefit from sideways axle movement

 

[dunnyrail]

All about getting round R1, if no play wheels more likely to bind on sharp curves. My LGB 20761 has around 5-6mm play on each axle.

 

[Dan]

I removed the Bachman motor block, trimmed the bottom to fit a USA train motor block and added weight. Trolley can now pull an additional trolley car and not strip gears.