SPEAK OF THE DEVIL!!!
I opened up the July 2001 Railroad Model Craftsman last night and SHINGO!!! An article on Rivarossi "HO" passenger cars!
I went straight to the information on WHEELS and was reminded of another problem with this folly. Rivarossi's wheels are a scale 33" in diameter. The prototype's are 36". The Kadee wheels are 36". Great, you would think, but NO. This gentleman had the same problem we all do when trying to switch wheels, with the BRAKE SHOES getting in the way of the 36" wheel. That's why your cars are DRAGGING along just as mine did.
The author recommended taking a hobby knife and gently shaving the brake shoes to help the wheel clearance.
HARNK! NEXT CONTESTANT PLEASE!!
I give this advice a MAJOR thumbs down, as I tried this both with a blade and an emery board. I even managed to break a shoe off, which prompted me to go back to the manufacturer's wheels. Never force a fit, right?
Then, I found that the Kadee axles were longer than the Rivarossi's the hard way. The plastic trucks had been bent OUTWARD, making it nearly impossible for the old wheels' axle tips to fit into the wells in the truck frame.
Not to castigate this fellow, the rest of the article was interesting enough, including some good information regarding diaphragm and coupler installation. There's also an interesting diagram illustrating how he thinks the centre wheels on a "C" truck should be able to float vertically, maintaining the weight of the car on the end axles of the truck to keep it on the track.
He also provides information on replacing the plastic stud with a screw for truck mounting, something anyone will need to execute to install new trucks.
I still think the only way around this problem is total truck replacement, outfitted with wheels manufactured to fit and operate properly in the new truck. This even allows you the opportunity to outfit your passenger cars with the appropriate truck style for your prototype railroad.
George.
[This message has been edited by George (edited 05-30-2001).]