With working couplers, free running wheels and stability restored this hopper wagon was ready to roll!

Buying second hand/pre-owned/pre-loved or what ever your preferred description is, is always a little bit of a gamble but usually and with experience you can see if something has major issues like the wheels fall out or there is a crack in the body. However, even if the item looks new it is always best, for reliable running, to take a closer look once back in the comfort of your home to carry out a little bit of miniatous. That is what I have done with the USA rolling stock that I bought at the Newark Toy and Train Fair.

The usual suspects to look at are the couplers and wheels. Having already tested the couplers it was time to look at the wheels. The problem is that the naked eye, good as it is, cannot precisely tell you distances. For reliable running the gap between the two wheels on an axle needs to be 14.5mm. Now I could try using a rule but am I really going to see 14.5mm accurately? There is another option which is a back to back gauge. This one cost about £10 is well made and easy to use. You can use it whilst the wheel is on the wagon or as I have done take the wheel out and use it. 

The idea is that you should just be able to slide the gauge between the wheels with just the slightest of resistance. If it is tight or loose you need to slide one of the wheels along the axle. Whilst the wheels were out they were also cleaned with some IPA and a cotton bud and the little bit of what seems like rust on the axle was sanded and polished off..

Next is to make sure the pinpoint axle can freely rotate in the bogie housing. This tool is slid into place and by rotating it, it cuts out any rough areas in the housing.

This is where experience plays its part. This particular hopper can rattled and was unstable. I could tell that when I looked at it before buying but knowing what was wrong and that it was a simple fix gave me the confidence to buy. The problem is a common one on older models of this type. There is a large metal weight glued to the inside of the wagon onto the chassis. Over time the glue weakens and the metal weight comes loose making the wagon almost unusable. Once I had the body off, the weight dropped out. Some gluing later and the weight was back in place and wagon body reaffixed. 

With working couplers, free  running wheels and stability restored this hopper wagon was ready to roll!