RE: (erielack) HO Tangent DL&W Gons - Rolling Properties

["Paul Brezicki" <doctorpb_@_bellsouth.net>]

Pat, I agree to a point. The work involved is minimal, much easier than, 
say, reaming out the underframe on the Atlas 89' flat with a dremel tool. 
It's the principal. Unless you're a collector and plan to keep the car in a 
box, a freight car needs to roll, must have a minimum weight to stay on the 
rails, and must couple/uncouple. That's it. If it can't do these things, no 
amount of fine detail and crisp lettering will prevent it from gumming up an 
operating session. I recall someone mentioning a modeler who emphasized the 
point by attaching trucks and couplers to a wooden block. Tangent does get 
kudos from me by including KD #58's. But the wheel issue screams QC, and 
they can't blame the factory in China because IIRC their products are 
assembled here. Didn't you have an unrelated problem with their EL CH's?

Paul B


From: pat.moore_@_att.net
Subject: RE: (erielack) HO Tangent DL&W Gons - Rolling Properties

My Tangent gondola finally showed up in the mail and once again they have 
done a great job.  I got one of the PC ones.  The rolling quality left a bit 
to be desired, as has been noted.  Personally, I didn't feel any aggravation 
because after checking the coupler height, I would have needed to add some 
Kadee washers anyway.  I quickly installed a gray washer on each bolster and 
it rolls fine now, and has the proper coupler height.

While some will complain about having to fix a $32 "ready-to-run" model, I 
personally don't think it is worth complaining about.  I always consider 
"Ready-To-Run" to be a bit of misnomer anyway.  Every supposedly RTR model 
will have to pass inspection before it gets on the layout and most will get 
weathered anyway.  I think that most of us can handle turning the model 
upside down, removing the trucks, installing a few washers, and then putting 
the trucks back on.  Incidentally, I wonder how many of our model 
railroading forefathers would roll over in their grave if people complained 
about having to remove trucks to install a few washers.

As long as Tangent keeps doing their homework and providing detailed models 
that are SPOT ON in terms of their decoration, they'll do fine.  Even if 
once in a while we have to install some washers.

Now, to bring this rant back on topic...has anyone been able to furnish 
David Lehlbach with high quality images of these gons in EL paint?  I sure 
would like to get a bunch of them.

- - -pat moore





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