Car Service

My original plan was to work on the new building for Picard Packers last weekend, but since the next operating session on the BS&T is May 27th I decided my priority should be car service. So I've been working on that.

I'm checking weight, coupler height, coupler springs, wheel gauge, and cleaning wheels.

Most of the cars on the BS&T are weighted properly, but there are a few that are a little light. So I'm adding old wheel weights where necessary. Some flat cars and ore cars will be getting new weighted loads.

Coupler height has been an issue with lots of cars so it's taking some time to get this one resolved. There haven't been too many coupler spring issues.

Wheels and wheel gauge are another big issue. The wheels on almost every car are out of gauge - usually too narrow by a hair. As I've read, metal wheels are cleaner, but when they are dirty it's a big job to clean them. Plastic wheels, on the other hand get dirty faster, but are a breeze to clean. Wheel cleaning is the dirtiest part of the process. Hmmm.... perhaps I should give Mike Rowe a call.

Anyway, I am about 1/2 done of this. I will finish over the weekend, hopefully, and get back into buildings and scenery next week.

Later!

Scott