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Update: 2009-09-29
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The two biggest manufacturers of Z-scale rolling stock offer outstanding
freight car models. However, on Märklin models, the trucks and couplers
do not look right.
Micro-Trains offers freight cars in well-scaled proportion and equips
them with nearly prototypical looking Magnematic couplers. Marklin
produces American-style freight cars with good detailing and lettering
but, with regard to couplers, they equip the cars with their standard
truck-mounted type. This causes a disproportion that gives the cars a
strange look. Micro-Trains offers conversion kits to change
Micro-Trains models to Märklin couplers and also to change Marklin
models to Micro-Trains couplers. As far as the odd look is concerned,
this does not improve the Märklin models. These instructions show you
how to convert Marklin models to Micro-Trains trucks and couplers,
including nearly-correct scale proportions.
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| The original trucks need to be removed. The weight in the car bottom needs to
be pressed out from the bottom side. In place of the original trucks,
which are set much too far in from the ends, use Micro-Trains #956
trucks and set the new bolster pin 6mm closer to the ends. Drill new
2mm diameter holes there. The bolster pin is a turned piece and must
be cut, as shown on the sketch, on a lathe. For the following milling
jobs, a small hobby milling machine with an adjustable tailpiece is
necessary. By this machining, we remove the much-too-small and
strange-looking fishbelly sides and cut clearances in the bottom for the
coupler boxes of the Micro-Trains trucks. We remove the fishbelly sides
with a 6mm milling cutter and for the bottom clearance, use a 1.5mm
milling cutter. Paint the bolster pins black before affixing them with
a two-part epoxy adhesive. Next, glue the ballast plate back in its
original position and assemble the trucks with 1.4mm screws. Now have
a look at your new car!
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| Remove the bottom plate and the trucks. Drill new 2mm diameter holes
for the new bolsters at a distance of 32.5mm. The new bolsters are
turned parts shown on the sketch. Paint them black and fasten them with
a two-part epoxy adhesive. Remove the punched sheet parts from the
platforms. Fasten the Micro-Trains #905 coupler with a 1mm flat head
screw and nut. Drill a 1mm hole through the platform bottom. On top,
the hole must be countersunk to match the screw's flat head. This job
is indeed a bit fumbly. Carefulness is not necessary since it will be
covered by the punched platform bottom when reassembled. Take care to
follow the right sequence when you reassemble the car. First fasten the
Micro-Trains #951 trucks with the original plastic bolster pins in the
new turned bolsters. Assemble the chassis to the car body. Fasten the
coupler with the flat head screw and nut (if necessary remove the outer
axles of the trucks for easier access). Lastly, assemble the punched
platform parts. Fasten the ladder and hand rail with a small drop of
CA.
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| The Marklin tank car can also be improved in this manner. More careful
work on its filigrée chassis is required. You will find instructions
for this job here, later.
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| Unfortunately the Marklin boxcar as modeled is a bit too low. There is
almost no way to give this car a prototypical look at any acceptable
cost.
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