On30 replacement freight car underframes

[Tim]

Mr Bachmann and All

If you have been undecided about making the change, here is my experience.

The improvement in the appearance alone is worth the expense.
The cars also seem to ride/track better.

Coupler height is maintained and they come equipped with center shank couplers
already mounted.  The pockets readily accept Kadee #148 couplers.  The pockets
are too shallow for #5's.

Installation Notes:

The mounting screws supplied are the same as the ones you already have, and
as such they are too long by about 1/16".

The new frame is thinner at the mounting area than the old frame.

You can use washers under the head of the screw or shorten the screw.
I used washers on most of my cars, and shortened the screws on others.

The trucks will work without modification, but I found that they work better if
I chamfered the top of the bolster mounting hole.
There is a fillet at the bottom of the truck mounting post that wasn't there on
the old frame, and the chamfer on the bolster allows the truck to ride better.

Even with all the above it took me about an hour and a half to do nine cars.

These frames are well worth the effort.

Tim L. Anders
Souderton, PA

[ebtbob]

Tiim,

     Any chance you could put up a pic of a "normal" Bachmann car and then one with the new frame so we can see the difference?

Bob

[jcater]

OK...I seem to have missed something here...what new underframes?  Do the cars ride lower, more protypical of narrow gauge??  Enquiring minds want to know!

[Tim]

Jay

The underframes were announced at the same time as the first On30 4-4-0.

And yes they do lower the car down on it's trucks like most narrow gauge equipment.

The part No's are 29906 for black frames (3pack) and 29907 for red frames (3pack).

I am installing them on all my Bachmann cars.

Tim L. Anders
Souderton, PA

[bwreno]

Hi,   Are the new (lower) underframes going to be standard on future production freight cars?

Tnanx,   bob

[max (uk)]

I think so.

Just out of interest, what kind of box do the fames come in?

[Tim]

Bob

The frames are on all 25'6" freight car road names announced in 2008.

They will be on all future production 25'6" cars.

Max

The frames are carded, not boxed

Tim L. Anders
Souderton, PA

[Royce Wilson]

I purchased a undec. reefer in a train show about a year ago and somehow I guess I got something that slipped out of the factory in China.
it has a low slung frame and trucks.....this makes a world of difference!
I wish Bachmann had done this in the beginning.
everyone that has the old OR&W type freight cars then you owe it to yourself to purchase at least one of these and check it out. it tranforms your freight cars very nice....now if we can talk Bachmann into opening the doors the other way.

                                                                   Royce Wilson
                                     

[jcater]

This brings a tear of joy to my eye   

I don't know how many hours I spent lowering my cars...Dremel heaven for sure 

[bwreno]

Hi,

Besides trusting your supplier, how does one know if the Bachmann freight cars that you order have the new lower frames or the old stock higher frames?

Thanx,         bob

[Tim]

Bob

Go here http://www.bachmann.co.uk/bachmann.php?prod_selected=american 

Download the Bachmann American & Spectrum O and On30 scale Price list.

On that list all items new for 2008 are listed in red.  These will have the new frame.

Other cars made in 2008 will have them also but there is no way to tell when the cars were made.

You can only tell by looking at them, so you will have to ask your dealer to check them before shipment.

Tim L. Anders
Souderton, PA

[galloping-goose]

Hello from Germany,

a short queston:

Do the new replacement frames have a double-slot for the coupler like the hoppers?

In that case, it would be possible to set the coupler to On3-height.

Would like to hear, if this will possible.

Thank you

Hubert The Goose

[Tim]

Hi Hubert

Sorry to say they do not have a double slot.

You could remove the supplied pocket, then mount an
On3 pocket directly to the floor.

That should be about the right height.

Tim L. Anders
Souderton, PA

[galloping-goose]

Hi Tim,

sorry to hear that.

I hoped, they will do it in the same way as on the hoppes, which are easily regauged and adapted to On3.

Thank you

Hubert Wetekamp
Werl, NRW, Germany

[Tomcat]

Hubert,

that will do - just mill away all the coupler pocket and adapter. Have done that with all my Bachmann Rolling Stock since I use the Kadee No803/807 couplers. Even on the hoppers, its needed to file or mill away the stuff for mounting the Bachmann plastic shim.

The reason I´ve done this is: Do have a lot of San Juan Cars RTR and from kits and - they all have the big couplers, what´s prototypical for D&RGS&RGS, but I´m sure you´ll know that already, hence your name in the forum...

Cheers, Tom